Pen Pretty

Pen Pretty Loves: French General

 

Just recently my brother has started crocheting to unleash another angle of his creative side, and as a result, I have been fascinated with the idea of making my own things - from clothing, to items for the home. We went to an adorable knitting store in our 'hood called "Bobbin's Nest" (such the perfect name for this adorable place) and I really got sucked into reading the French General books. The company is actually a craft store in L.A. that caters to sewing and home-making with a French flair. "Handmade Soirees" is definitely the next book on my wish list at Amazon, and when we buy our first house, I will definitely be putting my french crafting and cooking into full force. It's fitting, too, being that I love all things French. We went to Paris last winter and loved it, my favorite pot in my kitchen is my Le Crueset French Oven, my most beloved handbag is my Goyard tote, and oh yeah! I write for a French-owned company, Louis Vuitton. Hmm, scary. I never realized the similarities. No wonder these books piqued my interest. 

-j

   

Pen Pretty Reviews: SK-II Facial Treatment Milk

 
 

Ok, I never thought this would happen, but I am not loving SK-II's Facial Treatment Milk. It's supposed to regulate moisture on the skin without being too heavy, and it does just that, but it leaves this shiny film on my face that is NOT attractive. Lately, I have been mixing it with the UV Serum as a daytime moisturizer and dulling down the shine with a dusting of face powder after it dries. 

This isn't an item in the U.S. SK-II line, so some of you may not have even seen it, but I got mine on eBay for a steal and I am glad I didn't pay full price for it. For the mean time I will continue using it as a daytime moisturizer, and I do like that it has Pitera in it. This is definitely for oilier skins or if you don't want heavy moisture, like in the summertime. It's very light and almost watery, I do love that part of it because it's refreshing on a hot day.

If you're ok having a shiny layer on your face (hey, some people might think it's a 'glow'), then this Treatment Milk should work for you. It definitely was light and hydrating, i'm just not digging the shiny after effects. Definitely don't want my moisturizers to work like Armor All.

My 3rd facial is next week and I can hardly wait. Winter is upon us here, so I definitely will be looking for some serious hydrating and soothing benefits. Till then, my Whitening Masks and Signs Treatment Totality (RIP) is keeping my skin looking amazing. Next month will be my next 3-month mark update! Stay tuned for the pics! (Groans from me)

-j

New Moon After Effects & Diversions - I Must Have More - but until then...

So I saw my beloved New Moon at the midnight showing yesterday and today I am in a serious depression being away from my favorite characters. So much so that I have been walking around with the books, listening to the movie score and soundtrack, and finding what I can on blogs and the Internet to appease my fixation. Here is a montage of all the things that have been keeping my mind occupied until I can see the movie again (sigh).

-j

New Moon "Glimpses:

There is no doubt that this movie was visually stunning as far as location and cinematography. I love these photos of the movie because it really captures the "epic" feel of this saga. (Ok, Edwards shirtless look is part lust, but hey, how'd you like to be locked in a dungeon with that?)

 

  

So since New Moon abruptly ends (and heartbreakingly so) with Edwards proposal/condition to Bella, I have been reading and re-reading the wedding scene in Breaking Dawn, dreaming in my mind what this amazing movie will look like on film. In Style did a story on what Bella's wedding dress would look like and this one by Lela Rose is definitely my favorite:

 

When I haven't been scouring the web for New Moon movie reviews or watching the cast interviews, shopping always proves to be an effective diversion. These are the things I've got in my virtual shopping baskets:

Old Navy Boots, $50? Are you serious? What a steal!:

 

The weather has suddenly turned crisp so the shirt under the jacket thing is just not cutting it anymore. I love this marled sweater from JCrew because it would be the perfect under-the-coat layer that also works when the coat comes off. LOVE the long length and chunkiness of it too!

 

Twilight Obsessed Post: Robsten in Harpers Bazaar

I just got an early Christmas present from Harpers Bazaar magazine, a gorgeous layout featuring Edward and Bella. Swoon! Kinda reminds me of Breaking Dawn after (spoiler alert) Bella becomes a vampire and supermodel gorgeous. Check out the link below for all the pics. Six more days till New Moon - yeah!!

-j

 

Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart: Pictures From the Cover Shoot

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Girl Crushin on Ashley Greene a.k.a Alice Cullen (woot! woot! 8 days till New Moon!!)

 

I know as a die-hard Twilight fan I should be more partial to Bella, but I can't help but love her future vamp sister Alice in a girl crush kinda way. First of all, she has so much style and can rock the pixie look like nobody's business. But as a regular person, as Ashley Greene, I am loving her off set style, and the fact that she's not toothpick skinny or anything crazy like that. And she has great taste in hair, clothes and makeup. In this new Maxim cover I am loving her new longer hair. I am definitely taking this pic to my stylist to try on my now-grown-out bob. (P.S. The hubby loves this pic of Ashley too...he doesn't want to admit it, but he thinks Alice rocks, too!)

 

Next up is a photo shoot from Glamour that she did with Nikki Reed (a.k.a. Rosalie) and Rachelle Lefevre (a.k.a Victoria) where her makeup looks amazing. They did a smoky brown eye with a muted mouth to offset the intense black outfit. Now this is what a gorgeous vampire looks like!  See the full layout here.

 

And last but not least, this photo below is my absolute favorite outfit on Ashley off-set. The shoes, OMG, the shoes! Round-toe, nude, Christian Louboutain platforms (swoon!) I also love this because it is so my style, and at the time, I was loving her bob. Thanks Ashley for merging style into the Twilight scene! It can't be all goth and white face makeup all the time. Give it up for Alice Cullen!

 

-j

Pen Pretty Loves: All Saints

 

Discovered through a feed from my fave blog ever, Elements Of Style, I have been introduced to my new fashion obsession: All Saints. It's a Brit clothing line that a friend told me looks like "homeless chic." (Lovingly, of course) Whatever it is, I am hooked. I love all the draping and bunch-iness, and unique pieces like a button-up shirt hoodie for guys, and dresses with bustles in the back. So. Very. Cool.

 

 
These are the first few "pieces" I have added to my soon-to-be growing All Saints collection - the Aurelis Dress that has the coolest bustling detail, and the Wren Cardigan with it's bunched, drawstring front. So far, they only have a store in NY, and personally, I hope it stays that way because with these prices, they are in danger of becoming too much of a household name like Zara - which I love - but I loved more when it was somewhat "un-gettable." Oh, and of course, I love the folks from Customer Service there with their ever-so-charming British accents. Keep it real, All Saints - stay British!

-j

In Stores Soon: Nicholas Kirkwood's Rodarte Boots

via www.nbcnewyork.com

We just got back from Vegas and after perusing all the haute couture in stores that gambling winnings can buy, I have been gently reminded that I need to get some over-the-knee boots ASAP. There was a boot/sock version by Prada that caught my eye at the Bellagio shops (if you can part with $2K) but the ones that have my heart are these from the girls at Rodarte, as seen in Allure's fashion spread featuring Kristen Stewart and was a total hit at the Fall 2009 shows. But at $3800, a girl can simply dream. If you've got that kind of money to spare, check out this article for all the deets. It's funny, cardigans and tops are getting longer, while boots are getting taller. Just an observation ;)

-j

SK-II Signs Treatment Totality Now Called "Skin Signature"

The lovely ladies at Saks told me that my beloved Signs Treatment Totality cream is being replaced with a newer version called Skin Signature. Kinda makes me wanna use my STT more sparingly till I have to replace it with this. Of course they didn't have a lot of info on it yet since it hasn't landed in stores, but I am going to do some homework on it before I take the plunge. Fortunately it will be a while before I need to do that since I have half a tub left. Well, at least they kept the big, red jar. I don't know, there's something about it that makes it feel so much more "luxury-esque" and substantial, like it was really worth the $180! Yes, I am a sucker for packaging :)

-j