The new Aveeno Nourish+ styling product collection is launching soon, and I am very excited because I helped develop the line. As part of the kick-off for the launch, I had to opportunity to share some of my favorite things for the holiday season with The Daily Obsession, one of my favorite blogs. Thank you so much for the opportunity ladies. Here’s a recap!

My Obsessions - Photo Courtesy of Daily Obsession

ONE. Aveeno Nourish + Moisturize Shampoo and Conditioner — My hair is starting to feel the effects of the change in the season. I need all the moisture I can get. I love that it contains natural ingredients like wheat and oat protein because it keeps my hair strong but it doesn’t weigh it down.

TWO. Izo Cleanze — This super cleanse is so nutrient rich that the energy boost is amazing. It removes any toxins from your body including emotional toxins. It is a great way to start with a fresh clean slate. I try to do it 2 or 3 times year.

THREE. My Christmas Tree — I have collected beautiful Christmas decorations for years. This year, my tree will look like a woodland scene covered in snow and also covered in ice! I love any reason to use glitter with abandon!!

FOUR. Stella McCartney Lingerie — I am especially loving the days of the week panties, they are sweet and innocent but just sophisticated enough to be fun but not silly.

FIVE. Art Deco China from the 1920’s — Mine is by Shelly made in England. I love the simple cream with a scalloped edge with just a hint of gold on the rim. It looks so beautiful and elegant for all of my holiday entertaining.

When the temperatures drop along with the leaves, it’s time to warm up our beauty routines. Not just makeup and hair color,  it’s also a time to shift our perfume choices to something a little heavier and sexier. I am a huge fan of light fragrance, but when I pull out the scarves and gloves it seems right to wear a warm, cozy scent. Earthy, floral notes that echo the smells blowing around in the cool, fall wind. Dirt, earth, foliage,the last flowers of the season.

As I layer my clothing, I layer my perfume. Instead of my staple Eau d’ Hadrien perfume, I use the moisturizing creme and layer Chanel Sycomore or Beige from the Les Exclusifs line . I also love to pull out the more classic perfumes that are simply too heavy in the spring and summer months. Like Guerlain L’Heure Bleu, a lovely oriental aldehyde from a time gone by. Impossible for me to even look at when the temps are up, it’s mystery and  elegance speak to me in the brisk air.

Chanel No.5 is hard for me to wear, but I adore it. So in cooler months I use the velvet milk bath with epsom salts and enjoy the iconic fragrance in the tub without committing to wearing it.

I love Le Labo Iris 39. It seems to capture the fall season for me. Just right with a glass of red and a warm sweater. Kind of a dirty floral that finishes with a touch of powder and ends clean. Reminiscent of my childhood, buried in a pile of leaves with the street lights coming on, jumping out of a twilight childhood daydream, brushing the leaves off and running home into the clean, fresh house.

Perfume conjures up powerful feelings and memories. What are some of your favorite perfumes for fall? How do they make you feel?

A HOUSE OF THE HEART

” In 1994, while riding my motorcycle at random on the roads of Provence, I discovered a house standing amidst lavender and olive trees. I made it my anchoring harbour, my home, before deciding to open it to others. It has always had this very special place in my heart, and it still has today… “ 
Alain Ducasse

This September I was fortunate to be able to get away and take a much needed vacation. Jeff and I  chose to travel to France. I had never been to the South of France, so we decided to start in Paris and then tour Provence. It was absolutely the best trip I have ever taken. And when we reached Moustiers-Saint-Marie, and checked in to La Bastide De Mousiers, I knew was in heaven.

This is a very special place conceived by the famous Alain Ducasse. He wanted to create a place that felt like a private home. And that is exactly how it felt. Warm, relaxed, private, like a home. A home with impeccable staff.

We stayed here for three nights and never wanted to leave. We explored the gardens. Smelled the lavender and olive trees. It was a place to relax and catch up with thoughts and dreams. For some reason I felt transported to my childhood. Or a time when lying in the grass and staring at the sky was considered constructive time management.

The restaurant was the best I have ever had the pleasure of dining in. Most of the food comes fresh from the garden or close by in the region. It was fun to stop by the kitchen and be welcomed in. They couldn’t have been warmer, encouraging a look at the menu. I was so blown away by the food, I literally got a little weepy at times. Fresh pumpkin soup with chestnuts. There was a corn chowder that I could have eaten everyday for the rest of my life….

I hope to return soon. We met a couple from New York that comes every year. And this was the second time this year. Lucky ducks!

For now I will just keep the memory fresh by sharing it with you and looking at photos from our time spent there.

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Do you remember the last time you got a fantastic haircut? One that made you feel like your best most beautiful and stylish self. A haircut that made you appear taller, thinner, younger, or more sophisticated.

A haircut that works everyday and looks great with your features and wardrobe is always the best accessory you will wear. And you wear your hair every single day.

You must find a stylist that you feel a certain connection to. You have to have confidence in their skills and willingness to listen. They must understand your hair texture, your personal style and your lifestyle. And they need to be consistent in these qualities.

You must trust them completely.

If you love long hair and your stylist insists on chopping it off, you will never be satisfied, or feel beautiful. There is always a compromise. Layers can create a shape in long hair that gives you just the right lift and movement. If you want a drastic change and your stylist is hesitant,  ask yourself if they are hearing you. If you know them well, maybe they aren’t seeing you in a fresh light anymore.

Every time I see my clients, I am observing and listening. How they carry themselves, how they are dressed, what they are into, who they are listening to musically, where they are eating and going. What is inspiring them? I do it in a way that is organic and perhaps unbeknownst to the client. If you listen and observe you can find out so much about a person. This is just the way I have always been. It is often intuitive.

From that point, I then determine the health and shape of the hair . Then we can discuss what direction you are thinking of going and we can come up with a perfect cut for you. Perhaps a big change is in order, or maybe trying bangs is enough.

Often it is just time for a trim. The style you have is working. This does not mean my job of listening is over.

Hair should be cut every 2 to 3 months depending on the style. Short hair more often. 4 to 6 weeks.

Hair that is over grown in all the wrong places will never do what you want. It is all about weight distribution. A great cut can make fine hair seem fuller. A great cut can enhance shine. It can make thick hair manageable. It can help define curls. And it enhances great color.

Be open to suggestions from your stylist when you feel like you have found the one you believe has your best interest at heart. We want you to look and feel your best. It’s what keeps me going.  That moment when I can reveal a woman’s beauty and she feels incredible and confident. I love to hear that my clients are stopped in the street  by people to tell them they have great hair. Slightly ego, but I truly feel so fulfilled that she has a little extra confidence and skip in her step. Makes me very happy.

These are photos of Elizabeth. Notice how a few inches and the right layers enhance her beautiful hair and hair color. Notice how her expression changes from beginning to end.

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How To Buy Pearls

It is often difficult to know the value of pearls when you are looking to buy.

Lustre is the most important factor in determining the pearl’s quality. It is the brightness of a pearl in terms of how much light reflects from it’s surface. This gives them their ethereal quality.

Color depends on the type of pearl. Most unusual colors are more expensive. Tahitian or black pearls are from the Pacific Islands particularly French Polynesia. South Sea pearls come from Indonesia and Philippines for white colors. Color is a matter of preference.

Size the larger sizes are usually more expensive.

Shape is important. An ideal pearl is perfectly round.

Surface Condition The pearl should be smooth and free of pits, holes, scratches and imperfections. Some are acceptable though in natural and larger pearls.

Storing Pearls

Pearls are extremely delicate, organic pieces. They require proper care. Store them separately in cloth lined boxes or jewelry bags.

Never wear your pearls in a swimming pool. And keep hair products, cosmetics and perfume away. Put your pearls on last after your products have dried. Wipe any residue off with a soft dry cloth.

Restring your pearls every five years. More often if you wear them regularly.

Caring For Pearls

My pets Murray and Gracie. Get to know more about them in coming posts.

Murray is my 12 year old kitty and Gracie is her little beast sister. Both are rescued.

September signals the beginning of fall.

Fall may be my favorite season. Especially when I am in Michigan visiting my family and dearest friends. Living in Los Angeles, I long for seasonal changes that we don’t have here. The change of attitude that goes along with the cooler air and warmer colors. A cozying up and winding down from the activities of summer.

A more serious tone sets. A back to school attitude for everyone. More serious fashion. Boots and rich hair color.

My fall is a time of  going home, nature walks, apple crisp, bird watching, and layering cashmere. Wool blankets, heirloom quilts and tea by a fireplace. A time when I reflect on the year and look at my goals for the coming months. Nature helps me center myself.

What does fall mean to you?

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Since my birthday is on the first day of spring I am partial to the fresh and light fragrances that evoke the season.

Diorissimo is the perfume that I wear when I want to feel like I’m home in the springtime, with all of the delicate blooms filling the damp air. My absolute favorite being lily of the valley. Growing like weeds in my home state of Michigan, this flower  always inspires me to stop and smell and breathe. Sigh.

This classic perfume debuted in 1956. A classic worn by Princess Grace of Monaco.  Heavy on the lily of the valley and other white flowers it has a clean fresh note that keeps it from being too sweet.

More than 50 years later Diorissimo is reinventing itself. Well, Francois Demanchy (Dior’s in house nose) is.

I can’t imagine my beloved scent needs an upgrade or reinvention. By adding black currant, neroli, Turkish rose and Egyptian jasmine, it it supposed to be a sexier version.

In my opinion, it was sexy enough as an innocent, elegant fragrance.

The creative director of the the salon I call home is Serge Normant. It is completely inspiring to work with him. He is famous for his editorial work including almost every memorable magazine cover imaginable. His work with celebrities like Julia Roberts and Sarah Jessica Parker is legendary, as well as his work with many, many other A-list beauties.  Check out Serge’s books here.

Serge Normant Salon

Here are a few pics from my iphone of Serge explaining his technique for creating beachy waves on me.

I can not wait to leave for Paris this month and on to the south of France. I plan to over pack for my tour of Provence.

I know we should be more practical with our packing. But my suitcases have wheels and are ultra light. I will be sure to leave room for shopping. But I will also over load on dresses, I never regret those.

Keys to over packing include, bringing every outfit you ever dreamed of wearing but never found the courage to wear in your hometown. If it looks fab you can pull it off on vacation.

If I am bringing a checked bag, I usually include my full size toiletries too. This depends on the item. But mostly it is comforting to set up the bathroom like I like.

Paris will be amazing! I can’t wait to share my pics!!