Hey, sweetie boo, happy Caturday! 🙂 It’s a sun-shiney day in Novato today, and I’m up bright and early because babylove is all about that rolling over lifestyle. She figured out how to roll over, and now it’s all she wants to do, so she got up at 6 for her morning meal and workout.
Do you have any plans for the Fourth? We’re thinking about driving up to Petaluma for the afternoon.
How was your week? Mine had a lot to do with scents, first with those TOCCA hair perfumes, and now with these two scents by Annick Goutal, which are kind of on the new-ish side.
Annick and I go waaaay back. I first started wearing her perfume back in 2005, I believe it was. It was on the whirlwind European backpacking adventure when El Hub proposed. We were in France at the time, and even with my broke-down high school French, I still managed to buy the biggest bottle of Des Lys perfume (which was limited edition), as well as a SECOND backup bottle. WHA?? I know. The power of beauty compelled me, even across international lines.
I like Annick Goutal’s scents because they’re usually light and refreshing. I mean, you know I love heavier, full-bodied scents in fall and winter, but lighter scents are really nice when it’s hot. When I’m perspiring, it seems to amplify whatever scent I’m wearing, and when I wear lighter scents, it doesn’t overtake the room…
Rose Pompon is like a peppery peony rose (super dainty and feminine), and L’Ile au Thé (Oooh! My fave!) smells like a lemony iced tea with dash of sugar.
So freakin’ good.
Speaking of scents, you might’ve noticed this beautiful bouquet of lavender in the background. I picked it up the other day at Trader Joe’s for $3.99.
I couldn’t wait to get it home, but as soon as I did get it home, I was like, “What the heck am I gonna do with this now?”
I put it in some water, but now I’m starting to rethink that strategy, because I have a lavender plant on my back deck, and it absolutely hates being overwatered, so now I’m thinking that I should take it out of the water and let it dry. I dunno… If you have any experience with lavender, please hook a cat lady up.
In a little while I have to head down to Mill Valley in Southern Marin to run some errands, so I may stop by Nordstrom in Corte Madera to look at leggings.
I’m on a leggings kick (Haha! Bad pun…) right meow, and I have my eyes on these by Zella (Zella!) to possibly wear with these cute coral Nikes (SO BRIGHT).
Love ya, babe! Have a wonderful rest of your Saturday, and for my fellow Americans, happy Fourth to you. Will you be watching any fireworks or going to any barbeques?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Chris25 says
July 2nd, 2016 at 10:01 amIf drying lavender works anything like drying other plants, tying it up in a bunch and hanging it upside down might be a good way to start preserving it. 🙂 (And I understand your impulse to buy it in the first place- Lavender is gorgeous!)Also, that legging and Nike combo is an absolute win. A cute outfit like that could motivate even me to start working out seriously. (Well, maybe. lol)
I hope you and your family have a lovely weekend!
Karen says
July 2nd, 2016 at 12:01 pmHi Chris,
That’s a good idea. I have a cork board next to my desk; I can probably tie it up and hang it upside down there. That way I can smell it throughout the day (and enjoy how it looks, too).
What are you up to this weekend? Do you have any clients booked?
sarahc says
July 2nd, 2016 at 11:52 amI discovered Tocca because of you so I Annick Goutal is probably my style. I second Chris about hanging Lavender upsidedown to preserve it. I have a bunch in my kitchen right now. I love lavender.
Happy 4th Karen!
Karen says
July 2nd, 2016 at 12:02 pmHappy Fourth, Sarah!
Karen recently posted … The Day in Beauty, Vol. 20: Roses and Tea with Annick Goutal, and a Bouquet of Lovely Lavender
Chelsea says
July 2nd, 2016 at 1:00 pmI bought my first ever bottle of perfume in Paris in 2008, Dior Addict Shine. I still have it!
I haven’t been wearing a ton of fragrance lately due to some headaches that I thought might be triggered by them. I need to see if I can isolate the cause!
My Saturday was pretty good so far. I slept in, and then I went to meet my circus friends to practice a routine we’re performing next week.
Hi to Connor Claire! I wish I had her discipline for morning workouts.
Karen says
July 3rd, 2016 at 9:27 amHi Chelsea,
I’m a big fan of buying perfumes on trips. That way, whenever you wear the scent, you’re always reminded of your adventure.
I hope your headaches get better soon. Could it be allergies? I’ve noticed that this year has been a rough one for allergies (must be El Nino).
Good luck with your performance next week! What’s the show for? Is it like a recital?
P.S. Connor Claire says hello. He’s currently sitting on my chest in her baby carrier and she’s super chill at the moment. 🙂
Chelsea says
July 3rd, 2016 at 10:06 amAllergies have been a bit crazy this year, definitely.
The show is at a festival near a local river, called river days. There should be a variety of interesting things going on, and then everyone tubes down the river! We’re doing a group flexibility routine inspired by synchronized swimming, but on the ground (complete with costumes though). Should be pretty hilarious.
Awww at a chill Connor Claire. What a sweet little girl.
Raph says
July 2nd, 2016 at 2:46 pmHi Karen, you may also like l’artisan parfumeur’s fragrances. My fave is “mure et musc”. It’s DI-VINE. I think it’s the best perfume ever. The scent is light and subtile but lasts on me.
Dunno if you can buy it in the US though.
By the way I’m a new susbcriber and I love reading your articles.
Karen says
July 3rd, 2016 at 9:29 amHi Raph!
It’s very nice to meet you. 🙂 Thank you for the fragrance recommendation! Now that I think about it, I’ve seen that line before at a store called Bluemercury here in the US. I’ve sniffed some oft he scents and remember liking them.
Whereabouts are you located? I’m just north of San Francisco (you have to cross the Golden Gate Bridge).
Happy Sunday!
Raph says
July 3rd, 2016 at 9:54 amHi Karen, happy sunday to you to.
I live in southwestern France ☺.
I would love to visit Cali one day.
I’ve been to Florida and NY a few years back and I LOVED it ???
LindaLibraLoca says
July 2nd, 2016 at 6:39 pmI have no idea if lavender likes to be in water, but drying it by hanging it upside down like suggested above works a charm.
LindaLibraLoca recently posted … June 2016 Favorites
Karen says
July 3rd, 2016 at 9:29 amGreat! I think I’m going to try that today. 🙂
kwmechelle says
July 2nd, 2016 at 7:15 pmMy, oh my, those leggings are cute! Now I want them. Oh and the shoes too. Started moving into my new place today & buying throw pillows & super cute antique/vintage furniture from a few of the thrift stores here. And of course I hit up Tar-jay because its TARGET. Turning in now but I hope you had a good one.
Karen says
July 3rd, 2016 at 9:35 amHi Kwmechelle,
Congrats on your new digs! Did you move far from your own place, or are you in the same town?
I was just at Target the other day and noticed a lot of cute home stuff. They have some really nice lamps right now! Our Target in our town is pretty cool; not only do they have home decor, clothes, a pharmacy, etc., there’s also a pretty decently sized grocery section with some produce, meats, dairy, frozen and pantry foods as well. Oh, and there’s also a Starbucks inside too! I go there almost every other day.
Yesterday ended up being pretty chill. After errands I went home, did some cleaning, and then tried to tire Connor Claire out, LOL! Today I’m going to probably take some pics, do a little more cleaning, laundry (I’m always this baby’s doing laundry), then a walk around the neighborhood. I might cook a big lunch just ’cause. 🙂
What are you up to today?
Kiss & Make-up says
July 3rd, 2016 at 1:34 amThose perfume bottles have such a pretty retro vibe.
Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Beauty meets fashion | A new outlook with Firmoo (+ voucher for a free pair of glasses!)
Karen says
July 3rd, 2016 at 9:35 amCute, right?
Sophie says
July 3rd, 2016 at 4:57 amHaha, you’re absolutely right! Lavender I’ve found reeeeally doesn’t like being stuck in water… mine tend to get all icky and slimy after a while. One bad experience by the well-meaning brother was enough! Chris is absolutely right, tie it up with a big pretty ribbon and hang it to dry.
I think the first proper bottle of perfume I bought for myself was Body Shop’s Aztique. I loved the peach and citrusy scent, although that faded into musk on my skin soooo quick. I’ve forgotten where the bottle is now… must be somewhere in the house. I gave up on scents for a while until I found out about Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. Has the name crossed your list? They produce some absolutely divine and unique perfume oils! Not EDTs, or parfums, but small glass bottles of the most INTENSEly scented oils to schmear – uh, I mean, delicately dab on your pulse points. ;D My all-time fave is Centzon Totochtin, with cocoa and red wine and the tiniest trace of dirt and incense. It smells bee-yoo-ti-ful! Diptyque’s Figuier comes a very close second after that, and DKNY’s Be Delicious. I am unabashedly a fruit/foodie scent person. Heh.
My day was peaceful and I have no other plans other than snuggling into a nice warm bed and sleeping!! I’m sick and I’ve spent a good few hours idly reading all the lovely articles on the blog. Cheered me up immensely.
Karen says
July 3rd, 2016 at 9:41 amHi Sophie,
I’ve heard about Black Phoenix but have yet to smell their scents. Sometimes I feel like there’s so many scents, so little time, LOL! I love scents and hoard them, so one of these days I’ll get around to it. The Centzon Totochin scent sounds like something I’d like for the fall.
I hope you’re feeling better today. What’s on your agenda? More rest, I hope!
I’m going to do some puttering around the house. I have to tidy up the living room and then clean my bathroom (my least favorite chore to do). Also, more laundry. I’m ALWAYS doing laundry because of the baby, LOL!
Happy Sunday. 🙂
denise S says
July 3rd, 2016 at 1:42 pmI like to wear Annick Goutal’s Ninfeo Mio and Eau d’Hadrien during the warm weather. They are both good citrus fragrances. Ninfeo Mio is my favorite though because of it has citrus,fig and wood notes. Before you know it Connor is going to be a busy bee moving all around in a walker!
Erin says
July 4th, 2016 at 11:26 amIt’s a quiet 4th over here. No fun, just rest. I don’t recall trying any AG frags.
Elizabeth Bowie says
July 4th, 2016 at 8:02 pmI have to know, did you use up the whole bottle and break out the back-up? I feel myself wanting to do that with certain LE or “clearly about to be discontinued” skincare and makeup, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually done it.