Get Ready to Druel

Check out this article on the hot accessories for fall and your tongue will definitely be wagging on the ground. While I wasn't head over heels for some of the solid-toned leather bags, there was plenty to make me excited about cool breezes and boot season. On the top of my wish list is the Louis Vuitton Embossed Leather Speedy Bag and the Givenchy Lace-Up Wedge Boot. Mmmmm...

Learn about English Tea at Cuppa Tea Co.

Afternoon Tea
Presentation on English Tea Traditions
Book Signing with Jane Pettigrew

Where & When:
One North Morris Street
Richmond, Virginia, 23220

Friday June 6, 2008
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

RSVP by noon Wednesday, June 4th.

Call 254-8322 for reservations.


The following books written by Jane are available at Cuppa Tea:

Afternoon Tea
Tea in Paris
Menu


Welcome Drink:

Green Tea Mango Cooler

Starter:
Iceberg Lettuce Wedges and Blue Cheese Dressing and Edamame

Tea Sandwiches

Garden Salad on White

Roast Beef, Provolone,and Arugula Pin wheels

Ginger-Lime Chicken Salad on Poppy Seed Tartlets

Tuna Nicoise and Baby Green on Ciabatta

Pastries

Pound Cake with Fresh Raspberries and Blueberries and Lemon Whipped Cream

Banana,Chocolate, and Jackfruit Egg Roll served with Caramel Sabayon Sauce

Mini Sweet Potato Pie

Coconut- Almond Macaroons

Finale
Poached Peaches with Masala Chai Ice Cream and Shortbread cookies

Teas

Strawberry Cream Green
Coconut- Almond

If you go, make sure to say hello to owners Lurline and Alan. Both are super sweet and can help you find any type of tea you desire. The chocolate varieties and the Venezia (a creamy tea with a flavor similar to cappuccino) are worth picking up while you're there.

New Cosmetics Worth Buying

So, I went on a cruise about 2 weeks ago and like any cosmetics-obsessed girl, I took this as an opportunity to stock up on new products, especially in travel sizes, and seek out some new favorites. Here's a roundup of the ones I'll definitely be buying again.

La Roche-Posay Hydraphase UV

I bought this moisturizer after seeing a similar product by the same brand written up in In Style. This proved one of my favorite products and I will continue to use it daily. Although the moisturizer contained an SPF of 30, it went on and absorbed quickly and smoothly. In the past when I've tried moisturizers with a higher SPF they've clogged my pores or sunken in slowly leaving a white residue or rubbed off if I rub my face or felt like they didn't do much actual moisturizing. This did none of the above. It soaked into my face and left no greasy residue. It also had a light scent that was pleasant but not overpowering. My boyfriend forgot to bring moisturizer, used this one and actually loved it too. He still asks to use it. After the success of this product, I may look into more La Roche-Posay skincare when I buy more moisturizer.

Burt's Bees Radiance Body Lotion

This proved the perfect arm lotion for evening. It was lightly moisturizing (hence why I say perfect for arms, not legs) and had a bit of shimmer that looked pretty in evening lighting but not like I was some 13-year-old coated in glitter. It also did feel like it did moisturize lightly, which most shimmer lotions don't manage to do. Again, it had a light pleasant scent but nothing so strong I couldn't use perfume. The key ingredient in the product is Royal Jelly, a special food that honey bees create and feed to young bees that are going to grow up to be honey bees. The numerous nutrients in Royal Jelly are believed to soften your skin and enhance its natural radiance. All I know is I put it on, and liked the light shimmer. It's definitely something I'll keep on hand.

Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo

I've always been a fan of Dry Shampoo, but I picked up this particular version because of the small container. I had visions of using it for quick changes and refreshing during the day. This product is basically a powder with a pointed applicator. You sprinkle it through your hair, brush it through, and voila, less grease. It was a bit harder to use than the spray versions because you had to be careful not to get too much concentrated in one area, but once applied it worked just as well. Plus, the Oscar Blandi version had a refreshing lemon scent that makes grease hair smell great. The fragrance lasts all day long too. If you're like me and you love having great-smelling hair, this product is worth buying both for scent and the small, easy to tote size (perfect for a gym bag too!).

MAC Splashproof Lash

All I can say is finally a waterproof mascara that actually lengthens lashes. This is by far the BEST waterproof mascara I've ever tried. It wasn't clumpy and did it's job. My lashes looked long and after I climbed up a waterfall in Jamaica and got totally soaked it was still on my eyes and not running down my face. This will be another standard addition to the makeup bag.

CO Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint

I saw these last year but none of the colors blew me away. This season I bought Magenta Mint and Plum Mint. I've always been a fan of the basic Mentha Lip Shine, but the Lip Tint is the same great burst of mint with a sheer glossy tint that's perfect alone or over lip stick. I kept one in my bag at all times during the trip. It felt so refreshing after laying in the sun or walking along a hot street. It's for sale at Bath & Body Works, but if you go on the CO Bigelow Web site right now, some of the colors are on sale for $5 each!

Dermalogica Solar Defense Wipes SPF 15

These towlettes come in a little package like makeup-removing face wipes, but each towel is saturated with SPF 15. Plus they have other antioxidents like Green Tea and Vitamins A, C and E, and skin calmers like balm mint built in. They're perfect for wiping off with when you're feeling hot and sweaty. Rather than making you feel greasy, these wipes make you feel like you're cleaning off but really you're adding sunblock. They're perfect for laying by the pool or when you're walking in the sun.

Dermalogica Ultimate Buffing Cloth

I was sold on this buffing cloth to help prevent ingrown hairs on my bikini line (apparently exfoliating helps keep that from happening) but ended up using this cloth everywhere. It exfoliates with any scrub and feels more effective than depending on those little crystals in exfoliants to hit every spot. Plus, it's machine washable and lasts up to a year. For less than $20, you don't have to buy exfoliator again for a while. Heck yeah!

Ode to my Gucci Joy Medium Boston Bag

My use of my economy stimulation check arrived yesterday in the form of a white Gucci Joy Medium Boston bag in the white GG Plus fabric with platinum leather accents. This is my first Gucci purchase to date and I'm jumping off the walls because I love it SOO much. I was undecided on whether to go with the "large" or "medium" size and ended up with medium. It's perfect. Big enough to hold my wallet, a cosmetic bag (there will be no lipstick on the lining of this!), sunglass case and some important papers and still shut easily. But it's not big enough that it resembles a small suitcase. The GG plus fabric is a canvas with a light coating. I picked it in hopes that it will protect the white and keep it from getting dirty quicker. Although it was a pricey purchase, it makes me feel so glamorous when I'm walking with it on my arm, it was totally worth it!