Pen Pretty

Romance! Intrigue! Suspense! Pen Pretty Reads: The Vampire Diaries

 

Ok, so I admit I got bit with the Twilight bug. So of course, I was naturally attracted to watching the TV show "The Vampire Diaries" to pacify me till New Moon comes out in theaters in November. Well, being the bookworm that I am, I went ahead and ordered the books to read along with the series and guess what? The book is SO much better! It's written a decade before Twilight, but whoa. I wonder if these are the books that inspired Stephenie Meyer to write Twilight. It's totally not the same since Twilight was written from a human's point of view and more focused on love, devotion to family and the loyal ties that bind (seriously, I had no idea it was a vampire story till halfway through the book). But The Vampire Diaries toggles between a pretty human girl and two gorgeous vampires that are brothers (swoon), and you know right away that this is gonna be one sexy love triangle! In Twilight, you NEVER know what Edward (the hunky vampire in Twilight) is thinking, which is part of the charm of the book. Anyway, The Vampire Diaries gave me the same giddy, swooning longing that I had with Twilight, reading into the night and missing the characters when I wasn't reading. I know. It's crazy. Who knew vampires could be so dreamy? (sigh)

-j

P.S. I strongly advise you get the editions that combine two books in one volume (there are 4 books total). When I finished the first book with books 1&2 in it, I was relieved to receive the second book from Amazon with books 4&5 in it that day. Otherwise, I SO would be at the bookstore hunting it down. I had to keep reading!

Layla Grace: The Ultimate Home Store When You Want To Be Surrounded In Pretty Things

Inspired Bedding by Pine Cone Hill, Bella Notte, Seth & Grayson and more.New Arrivals for the homeInviting Spaces - Fill your home with furniture lines from Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic, House, Inc., Bradshaw Kirchofer, Stanley, The Chandler Collection and more.Accessories for the home Wall Decor

via www.laylagrayce.com

I discovered Layla Grace three years ago, preparing for my wedding. My bridal shower was a kitchen theme, and all the guests wore their favorite aprons. In my search for the perfect apron, I found these frilly, shabby chic ones from Jessie Steele and fell in love with them. Little did I know I would end up finding the store that would furnish my future home some day. Layla Grace is your one stop shop for the prettiest things you could ever dream of furnishing your home with: Chandeliers, cottage-inspired linens, charming cake plates, and antique-ish furniture that would dress up the ultimate dream closet. I know, it's indulgent, but during a recession, a girl can dream - window shopping on the Layla Grace website!

-j

 

 

 

Pen Pretty Reviews: SK-II's Live Chat on September 23

A couple of days ago I logged into SK-II's live chat online and I found it so helpful. Their training director Tracy Wilmot lead the discussion, who also is featured on the SK-II mask videos on Saks.com. I took a few notes, so here goes!

-j

Masks:

Japanese brides use the mask once a day till their wedding day

Try heating the Facial Treatment Mask by dropping it in a warm water bath, or chill in the fridge (that's what I do!)

Use the excess from the mask as a body moisturizer, rub it on your neck, decolletage, or back of hands.

Home Recipe using SK-II

Mix the Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil with 2-3 tablespoons of table salt and the LX2 Serum, rub it in, then step into the bath to wash off. Mixture makes a milky cleanser when mixed with water.

Tracy's Interview With Anne Vincent From Vogue:

Having been recently introduced to SK-II, Anne uses the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, Essence, Cleanser and the Dual Treatment Masks.

Her outlook for fall fashion is culled from what she's been seeing from the runways at NY Fashion Week including:

the 40s trend

nipped waists

80s revival (Yikes!)

big shoulders (another 80s revival)

bold colors

menswear inspired clothing

over the knee boots

the "red" trend, which leads us to SK-II's Special Offer on SK-II.com...

Get a cashmere scarf that can be worn as a pashmina or a scarf when you spend $250 or more at SK-II.com. (Here's a pic)

Q&A with Tracy:

Recommendation for someone asking about dry skin: Facial Treatment Essence and Signs Totality (my fave!), and for someone who is 43 with dry skin: Signs Totality and Facial Treatment Masks 2x per week

For Aging Skin 55+: Signs Uplifter Serum, Signs Wrinkle Serum, Signs Totality (Tracy's fave)

Only difference between SK-II products in Japan and the U.S. is the packaging, everything is made at their facilities in Kobe, Japan

Most important product in the range: Facial Treatment Essence & Repair C

Is there a catalog of products? Yes, at all the SK-II counters, if you aren't near one, call your nearest counter and have them send you one.

How long do you leave the mask on: 20 minutes, and don't rinse your face afterwards or you will wash off all that Pitera goodness!

What products do you recommend for the body?: Facial Treatment Cleanser (works great on a loofah), LXP Moist Softening Serum, and Facial Lift Emulsion.

FT Cleansing Oil also removes eye makeup and waterproof makeup

SK-II is safe to use when pregnant, no alcohol or harsh chemicals. In regards to Pitera being made from Sake, Tracy says all the alcohol has been filtered out leaving behind only the Pitera-rich liquid

A regimen for a 14 y/o listener: FT Cleanser and the Facial Clear Solution

SK-II Live Chat Event Today!

Soo excited. In case you SK-II fans out there did not get this email this morning, they are having an online chat this evening (6pm-PST) to learn more about SK-II and hear about an exclusive offer! I want to log on just to hear what the exclusive offer is! And besides that, I definitely have a question or two to ask. Like, what are the long-term results of using SK-II and what would be the one product they would recommend if you couldn't afford the whole line? (Not that anyone would buy the whole line, but, you get what I mean -vain sistas like me are broke these days!) Anyway, here is the email I received below. Check it out. I will report back later! 

-j

DISCOVER THE SECRET TO TRANSLUCENT, LUMINOUS SKIN

Join us live online to hear answers to your questions, from the SK-II top International Beauty Expert.

You'll also learn about SK-II's history and heritage, some SK-II skincare secrets, and hear Vogue's Fashion Events Director talk about this season's fashion trends.

Event date: Wednesday 23 September 2009
Event time: 9pm ET / 6pm PT

Use this link to join our expert chat...and to hear an exclusive SK-II offer:
http://chat.liveworld.com/events/sk-ii

 

Anthropologie "Gets" My Obsession With Owls

Maybe it's because I think they are the most regal creatures on the planet, or when they are drawn or illustrated, I love the shapes used to make their faces - but basically - I am obsessed with owls. And no other place understands my obsession better than Anthropologie who loves them enough to carry gorgeous stuff that's adorned in owls. Right now I am lusting over these three things:

 

...this necklace is so unique and I love all the simple "pieces" they used to make his cute little face!

 

...this brass hook, which you can pair with other woodland creatures like a squirrel or a bird :)

...and how adorable is this ceramic knob? It would look so cool on a chest of drawers painted in black!

-j

Pen Pretty Reviews: SK-II Signs Treatment Totality

 

Last night I did another rush-through job with my SK-II routine, only splashing on the Facial Treatment Essence after cleansing, and went straight to bed. Today, the next morning, my face feels tight and dry. The first thing I want to grab when my face feels this parched is my SK-II Signs Treatment Totality cream. I don't know if it's the big and inviting red tub that it comes in, or the pearly emulsion that sinks right in that makes this stuff SOOOO soothing. At first when I got it, I was a bit nervous about the shiny specks in it, which I think is part of the product's Niacinamide and New ActiveSirtuin complex, but I didn't break out from it so it's all good. The American version of this cream is called just Signs Totality and it won Glam.com's 2008 Beauty Awards as Editor's Choice for Best Anti-Aging Product. So far it has been my go-to cream when my skin is super dry. It is a little bit runny and has a lotion-y feel, but a bit thicker. It comes with a spatula so you can scoop it out in a sanitary way instead of dipping your fingers in. Since I am pretty clear of wrinkles still (I am 38, when are they coming?), it's hard to tell if it's working as an anti-ager. But maybe it really is working because I still have yet to see a wrinkle! I was lucky to get my tub on eBay from a guy who bought it for his wife in Asia, sealed and unopened in the box, but you can get it on the SK-II site, too. I am not sure if the formulas are different in America versus Asia, but I think I will try the American version next. My review on this product is that it is super-soothing, has all the Pitera benefits I love, feels luxurious, and definitely keeps wrinkles at bay. I even use it around my eyes and it doesn't burn! Love this stuff.

-j

My SK-II Results At The 3-Month Mark

As a beauty editor who's tried so many different products, my skin tends to go through a rebellion stage, begging me to stick to something for at least 2 weeks. 

Well, I have been on my SK-II kick for nearly 3 months now and I think I am experiencing another rebellion - from skipping a night of my regularly scheduled SK-II routine. It happens, ya know? I got home from work late, made dinner, and literally passed out on the couch watching Letterman. 

Anyway, needless to say, today is my SK-II power day where I am indulging in my full morning routine plus an extended session with my Facial Treatment Mask. I can really feel the bumps on my cheeks coming back after skipping just one night! 

So in honor of the 3 month mark, I am posting photos of my skin's progress. The first picture shows me post-treatment, no makeup, natural light (it was about 11AM). The second picture shows me an hour later, with makeup on and the bathroom lights on.

In the first photo, here's what I used before snapping the photo:

Nude Cleansing Wash

Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads (I use these twice a week)

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C

SK-II Facial Treatment UV Serum

 

In the second photo, here's the face makeup I am wearing post-morning treatment:

Giorgio Armani Face Fabric Foundation applied sparingly with a brush

Cover FX Matte FX powder

Lorac Blush in Velvet Rope

 

As you can see from the 1st photo, my skin still has a long way to go. It's still uneven as far as the discolorations go, but all in all, it's WAY smoother than it was 3 months ago. And when I wear makeup, it goes on nice and smooth, not obviously covered up. Yay! I think I am on my way to crystal clear skin!

-j

Pen Pretty Loves: Cover Girl Amazemint Glosses

Leaving a restaurant and there's no after-dinner mint in sight? Not to worry, Cover Girl's Amazemint glosses are the perfect quick fix. These beauties let you touch up your lipgloss with an extra, breath-freshening boost of Crest Peppermint Oil. Ok, maybe I just enjoy the sting too much, but I do like a gloss with a little bite. Maybe it's because my lips are nearly bulletproof after trying many other lip plumping brands (Too Face Lip Injection, DuWop's Lip Venon - to name a few), or I just like the feel because it reminds me I'm getting double the pout benefits. The two shades I am obsessed with is #625 Un-wined (a purply shade that goes on a sheer-berry) & #655 Toast-ed (a perfect sheer shade of chocolate brown).  I am seriously addicted to the freshness of the peppermint oil, it's almost like Carmex - but with a shot of sheer, gorgeous lip color. And at $4.99 each, I did not feel the slightest bit guilty about splurging on two colors. These glosses are definitely a permanent fixture in my evening clutch - mints now optional.

-j

My SK-II Essence Usage In 3 Months

 

According to my records, I bought my essence on June 19, 2009 and I just wanted to show you all a picture of how much I've used up to today - two-and-a-half months later. I've used about 3/4 of the bottle so far, and I probably have a month to go with what's left. Which means it's about $185, or about $60 a month, to keep using the SK-II Essence doing my two daily, quarter-size splashes. It's a good thing all the other SK-II products I own last a lot longer (the C serum, SPF, Signs Totality and FT milk). Will I buy another bottle when this one runs out? You bet. With the results I am getting, it's definitely a small price to pay.

-j

Pen Pretty Reviews: SK-II Facial Treatment UV Serum

A few weeks back I mentioned I would be getting this UV serum, and over the holiday weekend, I got to try it out. First of all, I love it. I now use this during the day and my C serum at night. Second, it's not a serum - it's a white, lightweight cream which you can see in this photo I took. Despite my disappointment that it wasn't actually a clear serum, I still love the lightweight feel of it and I do notice it has a slight brightening effect which I notice after I wash my face. When I use this after my Essence, I usually don't need a moisturizer and go right into makeup. Which makes me think, unless you are really dry, just pick 1 moisturizer from SK-II and focus on other products in the line that are more potent. I have the FT Milk and Signs Totality and hardly use either now that I have the 2 serums! Oh well, you live and you learn. 

-j