SHOPPING

Pucker Up, Buttercup

Did you know that lipstick is actually a pretty accurate economic indicator? I find this tid-bit fascinating, but so true. In times or war, depression or uncertainty, when budgets are low and women need to lift their spirits, they turn to lipstick. An indulgence that gives you a new look, makes you feel good about yourself, but that you can justify a helluva' lot easier than a $700 pair of Christian Louboutin platforms. Which, if you have discovered a justification for a work at home mom who's main activities include Target and shuttling to karate classes to purchase Louboutin's, please please let me know. I beg you. 

So while I've been obsessing casually thinking about the Chanel clogs and flipping through magazines to help me find a decent alternate, another Chanel product has been enticing my must-have-now senses, The new Channel Coco Rouge lipstick collection.

 

These ads, featuring the stunning Vanessa Paradis, have been in every magazine this month promoting these HOT new lipsticks. Originally scheduled for a March release, Chanel actually upped the release date to just last week and, at least according to the sales lady at my Ghetto Mall Macy's, they have been flying off the shelves. (*please note, the Macy's and the Gap at the Ghetto Mall are 2 of the best of those chains in the county, the mall itself and the stores surrounding the Gap and Macy's are what is quite, well, ghetto. But I say that in the most loving way possible).

Walking into Macy's and being the super informed shopper I am, I told the lady "I want the color in the ad" - and she whipped out one of the last of her two in-stock Mademoiselle colored tubes.

Here is the thing.. when was the last time you bought a LIPSTICK? We are of the "lipgloss generation" starting in our teens with our tubes of sticky, sparkly vials of Wet 'n Wild we would smother our lips in, to the popular "Juicy Tubes", lipglosses have been a staple in make-ups bags of women around the country for years and years.. lipsticks, well.. there was the year in the '90's that everyone I knew wore MAC's Twig with the Spice liner.. (now actually being displayed in a show about the "VINTAGE 1990's." Sigh. DEPRESSING.) but for the most part it's been all gloss all the time. *Scary side note, I still have the Stella Jane color lipstick I wore (under gloss, lol) on my WEDDING DAY 10 almost years ago in my bathroom drawer. I can't bring myself to toss it.. may have to put it in a shadow box or something.

Chanel is trying to change that. They are looking to "reinvent" the lipstick with this new formula. 

This lipstick is expected to attract young ladies as well as women, who enjoy using lip-gloss. Chanel Coco Rouge is forecasted to become a real revolutionary lipstick. First of all, this product has a nourishing formula with effective moisturizing components and phyto-ceramides. Second of all, the lipstick has uniquely smooth and volumizing texture, which was previously achievable only with lip-gloss formulas. 

 

Of COURSE, I bought it... tho slightly jealous that I didn't get it gifted in a gorge tote bag - {what Chanel PR peeps? You've never heard of HipMamaB?! ;-) } .. and it is beautiful. It's soft and this color is really a perfect combo of neutral and put together. At $30 it still is a bit of a splurge, but WAY more justifiable than the clogs or platforms... and add in the cost per wear? It's practically free! 

 

Clog me over the head

The other night I was chatting on the phone with my mom when she noted that the NYT Fashion Section was saying that CLOGS ARE BACK. She was thrilled, as she has been wearing a hot pair of silver ones for a few months now. (She's so ahead of her time)

I get off the phone and open the new Vogue (Hello, Tina Fey!) and it opens on the Chanel ad for these clogs - part of their 2010 Spring Collection. Hhhmmm...

2 pages later there is an editorial piece about them.

The next day, Rachel Zoe features them her daily email

These clogs are stalking me. I swear.

Unfortunately these beauties are SO far out my league that might as well be astronaut shoes. They are actually so far out of my league, that Ms. Zoe's "cheap" alternative are still slightly unjustifiable. 

But a girl can admire and lust from afar. 

Living in Color

It's so true that the moment the Holidays are over, our minds immediately head into Spring. While we have barely gotten cold yet here in San Diego, other parts of the country are buried in weeks and weeks of snow. Considering how excited I got when the Nordstrom catalog came last week, I'm sure they just wanted to throw it out the window when they turned the page to see this: 

I mean really, this was almost cruel of Nordstrom's to do.

And wow, I really want this green fedora. I want to plan a trip to Palm Springs JUST to be able to wear this hat.

But then again, I love color. While in the winter and for basics, I will stick to black, I really make an effort to not buy everything in black. The total opposite of my mother, I love color and big, bold patterns.

It could be my ultimate rebellion that I love that 50's 60's patterns and would love nothing more than to wallpaper my house ala The Brady Bunch.

When we first started researching and talking to people about the traditional look of a Mid-Century Modern house, the thing that tuned me off is the stark minimalist feeling of "modern". Thats not me. I'm mix pattern bright color girl. 

I'm like this hat. The brighter the better.

Which was interesting that yesterday's Daily Shoot challenge was about color and framing a picture of your favorite color. Naturally, the color most people associate with me is HOT PINK. Which I do SO love... but my ultimate favorite color has to be Tiffany Blue.

Had I not had a boy first and in desperate need of buying PINKPINKPINK for my baby girl, I would have done Zoe's room in Tiffany Blue and white. 

The way that particular blue jumps when accented with white or red amazes me. The color brings a smile to my face and makes my heart flutter. Yes, it could be the ultimate association (there is nothing better than a gift in a blue box) but I really just love this color.

 #ds57