oh how

i love you, michelle obama.

"Women, wear what you love. That's all I can say. That's my motto. It's nice to have on a nice suit, but it's a lot nicer to change a generation in terms of their health. It's a lot...better use of my time to focus on rallying this country around our military families. I mean, there's so much that I hope to do in this role that makes a difference in people's lives."

(in response to oscar de la renta's criticism about her choice of a british designer for the state dinner).

well played, m.o, well played.

{read it here}

not to

get too product obsessive (although who am i kidding), i felt as though i had a duty to post these lip balms.
in addition to the fantastic packaging, these balms come loaded with ingredients like aloe vera, green tea, and jasmine flower. perfect for soothing chapped lips. not to be outdone by the ingredients, the flavors are also scrumptious: absinthe, clove cigarette, and (my personal favorite) salted caramel.

two nights ago, my bottom lip cracked and started bleeding. i think that is a perfect justification for a splurge on one of these guys, no?

$7 here.

in today's

email from gwyneth paltrow's extraordinary silly series goop, paltrow listed a bunch of her favorite beauty goods. just because her whole goop idea is rather ridiculous doesn't mean she doesn't know her products.

here are my three top choices of the bunch that i've either used (and can vouch for their loveliness) or have read about their stellar quality in multiple places.


a. embryolisse creamthis brand is used by makeup artists the world over and with good reason. made with natural ingredients, unbelievably moisturizing and does. not. cause breakouts.

check out their entire line at www.embryolisseusa.com. then go to amazon and see if you can buy it for less.

b) savon de marseille
simple soap (for the kitchen or bath) made lovely. you get packaging, delicious not-too-strong scent - my favorite is the fig or the grapefruit- and a soap that's antibacterial. it is a lovely treat. there are also hand creams that are just the right heaviness. both available at amazon.

c) nuxe huile prodigieuse
this oil is available in regular or a slightly tinted, gold-flecked version. i've tried both (in beauty stores - i've never used a whole bottle, just sampled) and actually prefer the non-tinted, original version. this is a jack-of-all trades product. use it on your face in the super cold months (NOW) or a teeny bit in your hair for frizzies. mix a drop with your foundation to have a glowing effect. you can also put it in the bath although i would slather it on right after a bath for a serious skin treat. read more about it here.

what a

lovely dark office.


from elle decor.

can i

have a bathtub like this when i grow up?

please?

{photo found here, originally from lonny}

of course

i love this. art made of a toilet roll tube. what's not to love?


find out more about the artist here.

this looks

sort of like a vintage club monaco purse i just snatched up at the thrift.except this one is about a thousand times more lovely.and about a thousand times more expensive.

if you have $1595 to spare, might i suggest this beautiful blush bag.