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Jo Malone Launches NEW Home Collection

Jo Malone Home Collection

Does anyone else have total brand envy when it comes to Jo Malone? I literally have fantasies about owning a London flat and having my apartment inspired by their store design and packaging (and of course my imaginary home is fully stocked with their products).

Which is exciting, because this month, Jo Malone plays into my fantasy by introducing an assortment of limited edition home products. The collection consists of Scent Surround Diffusers (165ml/$75), Room Sprays (175ml/$55), Sachets ($35) and Drawer Liners ($45) and is available in three of their signature scents, Lime Basil & Mandarin, Pomegranate Noir and Red Roses. They really are so luxurious and add a little je ne sais quoi to a room.

{Elegant Scent Surround Diffusers and Room Sprays}

{Scent Surround Sachets and Drawer Liners — you can find the Lime Basil $ Mandarin scent in my dresser}

If you’re wondering what I’m taking about as far as Jo Malone aesthetic, step into the their Bleecker Street boutique (or really any of their stores) and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

And while you’re there, if you’re looking for something fresh and new for spring, try their London Blooms collection! It consists of three new fragrances: Peony & Moss (my favorite), White Lilac & Rhubarb and Iris & Lady Moore.

The Jo Malone London Home Collection and London Bloom fragrances are now available at Jo Malone.

 

Krigler Celebrates 100 Years of Chateau Krigler 12 with…

Krigler is probably the most famous fragrance brand you’ve never heard of. Originally founded in 1904 by Albert Kringler in his desire to create unique luxury fragrances made from the finest ingredients around the world. Kringler Perfumes rose to fame in the early 1920s as a favorite amongst celebrities and high society figures of the era including Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Marlene Dietrich. And before Coco Chanel created her signature No5 fragrance, she was wearing Krigler.

Now in it’s 100th anniversary since launching their iconic Chateau Krigler 12 fragrance, Krigler (which is still family owned and fun) introduces a classic scent reinterpreted for modern-day, Ultra Chateau Krigler 212. The original, which

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Valentino Introduces a New Fragrance for Her: Valentina

In a recent visit to the Valentino showroom, I met Valentina. Or rather, I should say experienced Valentina as she is a fragrance, not a person. Taking the journey through 3 rooms; Valentino’s Spring collection, the Valentina advertising campaign, followed by an introduction of the formula by the perfumers, gave me a much deeper understanding and connection to the Eau de Parfum.

“I just women to feel beautiful”, Valentino’s very essence and foundation for the House of Valentino translated into a fragrance. Keeping elements of couture he used his iconic flowers to adorn the bottle. A unique floral oriental, this fragrance is feminine and delicate while still exuding strength and confidence, much like the women Valentino embodies in the ad campaign featuring model, Freja Beha Erichsen.

Freja has that edge and uniqueness to her, and yet when looking at her their this underlying innocence that makes her perfect for the face of Valentina. The advertisement depicts her as an heiress/socialite being called down to her  elaborate 21st birthday party but is sneaking out to soak in the streets of Rome and create her own adventure.

After two years of development, Valentina came to fruition with the help of perfumers Alberto Morillas and Olivier Cresp. Composing a fresh floral oriental which is inspired by the streets of Rome and the scents in the air, many of the notes are authentic to Italy. The heart of the fragrance is orange blossoms, jasmine tuberose and wild strawberries mixed with top notes of bergamot from Calabria and white truffles from Alba, which settle on the base notes of cedar, vanilla and amber. This is the first fragrance to use white truffles in it, and it adds a soft quality to this very unique and original fragrance.  Masked in a vintage italiana perfume bottle, I’m so happy to have this fragrance in my collection and have been wearing it everyday. It’s whimsical essence is feminine without being too sweet or overpowering and just a lovely day fragrance that’s perfect for spring.


{Valentino Spring Collection}

Valentino ‘Valentina‘ Eau de Parfum (2.7oz/$108, 1.7oz/$80) is available at fine retailers including Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and Nordstom.

DISCLAIMER: A complimentary sample was given to Pretty Connected in a gift bag for the products launch. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review.

Chloe’s NEW Fragrance: L’Eau de Chloe

In all my fashion week excitement (and posting), I had to take a break to post about the new Chloe Fragrance that is coming out this month! I’m a fanatic when it comes to Chloe fragrances, so I was very excited to receive the lasted edition to their collection: L’Eau de Chloe. Look at how pretty print campaign is! It features 21-yr old French model  and actress Camille Rowe-Pourcheresse, as the face of the fragrance.

I find the other Chloe fragrances, while all unique still resemble each other in smell; L’Eau de Chloe is the most different from it’s collection counterparts. Bottled in the iconic Chloe bottle, L’Eau de Chloe is a very airy, crisp, summery floral that carries a green outdoorsy scent with undertones of rose and citrus. The fragrance opens with refreshing notes of grapefruit, cedrat and sweet peach, blended with natural rose water, and ends with warn notes of cedarwood, patchouli essence and amber.

Enjoy the behind-the-scenes footage from shooting the ad campaign, directed by Mario Sorrenti. In case you’re wondering the song, it’s Ready for the Floor by Lissy Trullie.

DISCLAIMER: A complimentary sample of L’Eau de Chloe was given to Pretty Connected by a company representative. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review.

Fresh and Veuve Clicquot team up to create “Clicquot in the Snow Beauty Survival Kit”

Break out the bubbly, Veuve Clicquot has partnered with skincare brand, Fresh to create a limited-edition “Clicquot in the Snow Beauty Survival Kit.” Geared to keep snow bunnies hydrated, the beauty survival kit features Fresh’s most nourishing products (including the Citron de Vigne scent which was originally inspired by Veuve Clicuor champagne), the kit includes:

  • Citron de Vigne Eau de Parfum Rollerball is a purse-friendly fragrance perfect for travel and slope-side pick-me-ups with a Veuve Cliquot inspired sparkling citrus aroma.
  • Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 blends real sugar, a natural humectant, with meadowfoam and black currant seed oils to hydrate, soften, and protect your lips while you ski.
  • Soy Face Cleanser To-Go is an extra-gentle formula for all skin types that whisks away impurities after an active day outdoors without stripping the skin of essential moisture.
  • Crème Ancienne, the ultimate anti-aging face cream, is proven to provide long-lasting hydration that will stand up to high winds and low temperatures on the mountain.
  • Seaberry Restorative Body Cream To-Go is an ultra-nourishing, omega-rich treatment designed to calm and relieve irritation—making it ideal for post-ski pampering.
  • Brown Sugar Hand Cream provides up to six hours of supreme moisture for seriously dehydrated hands, so they stay silky soft and smooth underneath your gloves.

Housed in a chic, black cosmetic case that reads “Clicquot in the Snow” and adorned with snowflakes, the collection is affordably priced at $60 ($106 value). So lets face it, you don’t need to hit the slopes to appreciate the great assortment and value of the set.

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Last Minute Holiday Gifts

1. Two Faced Sweet Dreams Makeup Collection – $52 ($186 value). Exclusive to Sephora, this whimsical makeup set is a dream! Filled with 15 of their best-selling eye shadow shades, a full-size Prime Anytime eye primer, two shades of blush, bronzer and highlighter and their signature “How To’ Cards to learn how to apply gorgeous looks with step by step instructions. Every girl in my office bought this palette (it’s that good).

2. Rebecca Minkoff Collaboration Timepiece with Baby-G ($200) – Here’s your chance to own Rebecca Minkoff’s first watch and as of now there are only 500 of these Baby-G watches being made!

3. kai bubbles & light holiday set ($49) – The gift of relaxation is always a winner in my book. This limited edition set comes in a sheer gift bag and is filled with kai’s bubble bath and all-natural fragrance candle.

4. ALEX & CHLOE for FOREVER 21 -Alex and Chloe designed a full collection of jewelry for Forever 21 all under $20!! I’m all about mixing their Rhinestone Bangels (set of 3 – $14.48) with their thicker  Rhinestone Hexegon Bracelet ($14.80), pictured above, and am very excited to welcome them into my jewelry collection.

5. Pantone Mug – offered in a variety of Pantone colors ($15.95 each or $90/set of 6), this mug is a full proof present for any creative-types or coffee addicts on your list.

6. Clinique Chubby Sticks Trio ($45) – I love these hydrating color balms! They offer a soft tint of color and shine with every application. This set includes shades Super Strawberry, Chunky Cherry and Whole Lotta Honey. They are also available individually (in a variety of shades).

7. Sock it to Me knee socks ($9) – offered in a variety of funky prints and colors, forget buying underwear this holiday and go straight for the socks!

8. CND The Plum Truffle Collection – This duo nail polish set includes CND shades Plum Truffle Colour and Plum Truffle Sparkle Effect. Designed to be worn together, apply two coats of Plum Truffle Colour, followed by one coat of Plum Truffle Sparkle Effect (don’t forget your base and top coat!). Makes a great stocking stuffer! This set is available on timetospa.com.

9. Parker Pens Ingenuity Collection ($190)- I was recently at an event for Parker Pens and fell in love with them. Pick a pen based on the way it writes, looks and feels, and Parker has a grand collection of pens. However if you need a guidance, check out their new Ingenuity Collection (my favorite is the Large Daring Black Rubber and Metal pen). Everyone can use a quality ink pen, especially right around the holidays — just think about all of those ‘Thank you’ cards you’ll have to fill out. Plus it makes you feel so fancy!

10. Martha Stewart Crafts Set Your Own Stamp Case ($20.59) – If you’re looking for a gift for any of your craft friends/family, check out Martha Stewart Crafts collection. I have my eye on her Set Your Own Stamp Case which lets you create your own message on cards, invitations, tags, scrapbook pages… and includes upper and lower-case letters, numbers, punctuation marks, icons, phrases, and circular border stamps. Includes 318 pieces to be used with any colored ink pads (sold separately).

11. Victoria’s Secret Party Perfect Makeup Kit ($18) – A medley of 20 must-have VS eyes and face shades, including 16 eye shadows, blush, bronzer, eye applicator and face brush. What more can you ask for from a beauty kit?

12. “Blowout in a Box” by Living Proof and T3– $200 ($258 value). Don’t you love it when two quality brands that compliment eachother partner together to bring you a value set? Exclusive to Sephora, this set has everything you need to create the ultimate salon quality blow-out from the comfort of your home. The “Blow Out in a Box” contains a T3 Featherweight Hair Dryer, Living Proof Straight Styling spray, and a Shine & Volume Application Kit which contains Neo-tortoise shell comb to detangle the hair when wet and Ceramic barrel brush for styling.

Holiday Gift Guide: Fab Finds Under $65


1. Tocca Gift Sets! Featured above is the  Tocca Eau do Parfum Viaggio set ($45) – which features 3 beautifully packaged mini-Tocca signature fragrances (0.5 fl oz), including Colette, Giulietta and Bianca. The Tocca Candele Da Viaggo set ($42) is also a great set for any candle connoisseur. This luxurious set  includes an assortment of travel size votive candles (1.2oz) in four of Tocca’s most popular scents: Cleopatra, Grace, Havana and Kyoto. Also included is a signature Tocca matchbox.

2. BOBBI BROWN Ultimate Party Collection ($65) – This double decker limited edition palette includes eight Matte, Metallic, Simmer and Sparkle Eye Shadows, 4 Glitter Lip Glosses and a mini lip brush and mini eye shadow brush. It’s really is the ultimate high quality convenience palette that packs everything you need for a night out. It’s easy to pull out the lip shade base with minimal pressure preventing any messy accidents or breakage. All the lip gloss shades are on the sheerer side for a light tint.

3. Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color ($25) – A variety of lightweight cream eye shadow that come in 12 shades and offers a radiant pearlish, lustrous finish that can easily with your fingertip (I recommend dusting over with an eye powder brush for darker shades), for an even finish. The formula contains Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE to help hydrate the skin, which is great for people like me, who have dry eyelids. Shades featured above are my two favorites, Caviar and Moss.

4. Jo Malone Christmas Cracker set ($30) – Crackers are a traditional british party favor so naturally our favorite brand from London has packaged the perfect mini-set in one. Crack open this set and you’ll find their signature mini-sized Grapefruit Cologne (9ml), Lime Basil & Mandarin Body & Hand Wash (15ml) and Pomegranate Noir Body Creme (15ml) perfect for any sophisticated male or female on your list.

5. Kate Spade Portola Valley Passport Holder ($65) – If you saw what my passport looked like at the moment, you’d understand why this is on my list! This chic passport holder is crafted of luxe ostrich-embossed leather and finished with the signature Kate Spade woven dot lining. Available in two shades, fresh green and mauve.

6. Bumble and Bumble Pin Tin ($15) – I love this tin! And my bobby pins can be found in the most miscellaneous places so for the sake of getting organized this makes a great gift. The box contains 50 winter white styling pins neatly packed in Bb. engraved tin.

7. Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Runway Essential Makeup Kit ($35) – Because deep down we all want to be an angel… or at least look like one! This set is the next best thing. Get the fashion show look with their top 4 VS Makeup essentials straight from the runway. The set includes VS Loose Shimmer Shadow in Gold Dust, Triple Drama Mascara, Sparkling Lip Gloss in Delight, and All-over Shimmer Powderin Candy Girl.

8. Tarte puttin on the glitz limited-edition color collection & clutch ($48) – Inspired by Old Hollywood glamour, this clutch includes three interchangeable palettes which snap into the clutch for a total of 18 eyeshadows, 1 Amazonian clay 12-hour blush, 1 Amazonian clay shimmering powder and 1 park ave princess Amazonian clay bronzer, and a maraca-infused lipgloss in the entire set. The reusable case is so hot! It’s a metallic silver clutch with 4 credit card slots, a removable mirror and strap to convert it into a full on evening purse. This set is a $406 value, so snag it for $48 while you can!

9. mark. Power of Change Necklace ($28) – As part of the m.powerment by mark. collection which is a philanthropic initiative committed to breaking the cycle of dating abuse and partner violence, these necklaces are loaded with their iconic symbols of support (and a portion of the sale is this campaign). The two goldtone necklaces are meant to be worn layered- or keep one and share the other with a friend.

10. MAKE UP FOR EVER Wild & Chic Palette ($39) – Available exclusively to Sephora inside Jc Penney stores nationwide, this chic palette includes a miniature Aqua Eyes Liner in black and the 6 Eyes Shadow shades: Bronze, Khaki, Pearly Light Pink, Brown Black, Metallic Copper, and Beige. Packaged in anthracite grey snake print I was spotted using this palette at my office and it’s so hot that half my colleagues now own it. MAKE UP FOR EVER makes one of the best eye liners and strong pigment eye shadows on the market. This is the perfect evening palette and makes a great gift for any makeup junkie.

11. Avon Makeup To Go Palette ($9.99) – this palette may fall apart long before you’re done using it, but for the price and what it has to offer, it’s worth the risk. Containing 8 eyeshadows, 4 lip glosses, and 1 blush, it has everything you need for anyone on the go in the most lightweight compact you’ll likely ever own. Makes for a great stocking stuffer or secret santa gift!

12. Avon Sequin Cross-Body Bag ($19.99) – I was pursuing the Avon site when I saw this hot number! Get it for Christmas, wear this mini sequenced bag for New Years. Features a foldover flap and turn lock closure with detachable cross-body chain-link strap. The bag can be worn three ways: cross-body, handbag or clutch. The dimensions are 4 1/2″ H x 6 1/4″ W x 2 1/2″ D.

13. Aveeno Baby Essential Daily Care Gift Set ($29.99) – Mom’s love Aveeno. And I should know, everyone around me is having babies. So if you’re looking for a great joint new moms and newborns gift this set is a great (and affordable) find! The set includes Aveeno’s Soothing Relief Moisture Cream, Soothing Relief Diaper Rash Cream, Daily Moisture Lotion, Wash and Shampoo, 100% organic cotton blanket, and reusable basket.

14. Give Bag ($7.99 – $9.99) – Who says the gift wrapping can’t be the gift itself? Or at least your eco-chic solution to wasteful & disposable gift packaging. It’s infinitely reusable because of its innovative, patent-pending erasable/rewritable Give Tag gift tags, that saves you the trouble of also buying a card and easily slides into the transparent pocket in the front of the bag. Additionally it features an interior material flap that covers the gift enclosed, eliminating the need for wasteful tissue paper. Plus, each Give Bag features its own unique tracking #, allowing gift-givers to register their Give Bag’s location & view their Give Bag as it travels around the globe. And it’s the gift that keeps on giving considering you’re encouraged to re-gift it once you receive one. Give bags come in two sizes and several colors and patterns.

15. Sally Hansen Salon Effects Limited Edition Holiday Prints ($9.99) – What better way to get into the holiday season then with Sally Hansen’s 5 new limited-edition holiday prints of their cult favorite Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips. The new prints include Plaid About You (red and black plaid), Peppermint Twist (red and white candy stripe), Snow Bunny (white with red snowflakes), Prep’s Cool (black and silver argyle), and Winter Funderland (black, silver and blue glitter). The strips are made of already dried nail polish, so all you have to do is peel and apply for perfectly manicured nails. No mess or fuss, just fun prints!


Lisa Hoffman Launches Fragrance Jewelry Collection

Today, Lisa Hoffman is launching her new line of fragrances including a jewelery collection! Branching off of her ‘wear fragrance your way‘ motto, Lisa Hoffman created 5 base fragrances, Madagascar Orchid, French Clary Sage, Tunisian Neroli, Tuscan Fig and Japanese Agarwood and from there created 4 fragrances under each collection base for morning, daytime, evening and bedtime (and are sold as a set). Additionally, she’s created a body care line, candles and what I’m most excited for… fragrance jewelry based off these fragrances.

Unlike other brands in this category we’re not talking solid perfume rings and necklaces, but charms filled with fragrance beads. Launching with the fragrance bead bracelet (today!), in the coming months we have the earrings and pendant to look forward to (and I can’t wait, I need that necklace!).

The benefit of the fragrance beads (made of wood) is you can mix and match based on your scent preference, and they are refillable. Plus their safe for individuals with sensitive skin or allergic to perfume.

The Fragrance Jewelry collection features a proprietary delivery system that slowly releases perfume as they are exposed to air and offers a stylish, whimsical new way to personalize your scent, and look. And they are beautiful! Modeled after a pair of Victorian-era earrings Lisa was given by her husband (ahem, actor Dustin Hoffman), the story goes that during that time it was considered gauche to wear diamonds during the day; so jewelers made pieces with snap-off “fronts” on them, that could cover the jewels until the evening when when they could be removed. This concept inspired both the silhouette and the functionality of the filigreed charm. Plated with antiqued sterling silver and bronze, 14-karat gold and rose gold (depending on the scent held within), they each come with a pack of fragrance beads to be refilled every 1-2 weeks (depending on how much exposure to air).

Filled, mixed, or otherwise empty, it’s an extraordinary design and an amazing accessory. Not sure your scent preferences? Visit their website and take their diagnostic test, known as the iSecntify fragrance finder to help you find your scent.

For more information on the collection visit LisaHoffmanBeauty.com

Disclaimer: Pretty Connected was given a sample of the bead bracelet for post consideration. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review.

DVF at Lucky FABB + TODAY ONLY 20% off Harper-Connect Bag!

DVF at Lucky FABB showing off her NEW Harper-Connect bag

Last month, the Pretty Connected team attended Lucky Magazine’s 2nd annual Fashion and Beauty Blogger (FABB) Conference. Highlight of the day was keynote speaker Diane von Furstenburg, who’s all around fabulousness inspires us to no end.

Her energy, her innovation and her support of women motivates us to be the entreprenuers we strive for at Pretty Connected –especially with our recent incorparation of our sister consulting company, Pretty Social (website and more info to come!).

We’re so used to women in this industry being powerhouses or workaholics (we’re slightly guilty of that), so to see the mother-ship of powerhouse women be so calm, collected and balanced made us hang onto her every word and feed off her advice. She stood before us composed, head to toe in her signature label; slim, tan and gorgeous (as always), spreading her message of ‘you can have it all; a great career, a wonderful family and healthy lifestyle’.

As she spoke out to a room of 250 predominantly female bloggers, she listed these three things all women should have (surprisingly enough a DVF wrap-dress was not one of them):

1. The most important relationship you will ever have is the one you make with yourself.

2. All women should have children.

3. It is very important for women to have an identity outside of their career.

DVF Harper-Connect bag

To each their own on #2 (especially since we’re not there yet, but look forward to that day), but we couldn’t be more thrilled and in agreement over #1 and #3; which we take to heart as we navigate to find a healthy work/life balance.

She also made a great social media point about when she tweets (yes when she signs ‘love Diane’ at the end of the tweet, it’s actually her!), that the non-sales, non-promotional, more heartfelt tweets are always the ones that get the most attention and responses!

She also took a moment to show off her new DVF Harper-Connect bag, which looks like any other gorgeous, well constructed, perfect-sized everyday bag and then opened it up to display that it doubles as an iPad case! To die for! And exclusive today only (September 29th) on DVF.com,  she’s offering the bag for 20% off!!!! Use the code HARPER20 at checkout to redeem.

So if you have the means, take advantage. We’ll be infinitely jealous of all who do!

Also on our radar, is the new DVF fragrance, Diane, which debut last week at Bloomingdale’s. Described as a floral woody scent that combines the Mastery of the Frangipani Flower with the Softness of Violet Leaves, I’m not sure what that means, but it sounds divine!

Exclusive: Preview and Buy Guerlain Holiday Collection on AHAlife

For the first time ever Guerlain is doing an online pre-launch of their holiday collection, Belle de Nuit, by partnering with the influential online discovery destination AHAlife.

Starting today, fans of the infamous beauty brand can purchase the artfully designed and packaged collection before it is available elsewhere.  The collection was informed by the 1933 Geurlain collection called Vol de Nuit, which was inspired by daring women of that era, Amelia Earhart and

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