My Fave Beauty Buys

I'm a beauty junkie. I love nothing more than to try new skincare and hair products. My bathroom shelves are constantly full of leave-in conditioners, scrubs, masks, and lotions. While I'm all about finding and testing out new products, there are those that I have fallen for. Here are a few of my favorite things. These beauty buys may not be under $10 like the ones featured here in Jamie's recent post on Troc Talk, but they are well worth the splurge!




Red Flower Body Lotion

These botanical based lotions are truly an experience. There is something so enveloping about the silkiness of the natural flower scents. It's like rubbing flower petals all over your body, and what's better than that? My favorites are Spanish Gardenia and Icelandic Moonflower.

Bioelements Measured Micrograins


This scrub (also doubles as a mask) is probably the best purchase I've made in a while. It was recommended to me by my Esthetician at Fringes Salon and Spa- Old Market. It's great to keep your skin clean and refreshed between Microdermabrasion treatments (another skincare MUST!) and just from day to day as well. I swear every time I use it it's like unveiling a new layer of fresh, soft skin.

Paul Labrecque Haircare

Alice swears by Paul's mud mask conditioner, and so do I! Unfortunately, I didn't discover how great the Paul Labrecque line was until after we stopped carrying it at The Troc. His color condition mud mask is to hair what water is to a wanderer in the desert. Now, I know that I don't have much hair, but the hair that I do have was softer and smoother than it has ever been after using this conditioner. The inviting and delicious aroma of the conditioner is only the icing on the cake. That combined with the repair style hydrating hair lotion is easily the best thing you can do for your hair.

L'occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil

You had me at the word "supple"! This oil firms, softens, and smells fantastic! The description on the L'occitane website states that the product is "ideal for use before, during and after pregnancy or periods of weight loss, for those seeking to fight stretch marks!" I relate to none of those cases, but I CAN tell you that this oil softens and leaves behind a warm and sensual almond-y scent.


Kevin Murphy Haircare

I can't rave enough about this salon professional brand of haircare.  The intoxicating scents alone are enough for me! This Australian line was created by Kevin Murphy to accommodate his needs as an editorial and runway stylist, and let me tell you this line will meet your needs too! Kevin Murphy uses natural ingredients in the products whenever possible- the result, Ah-Ma-Zing scents and rich formulas that are weightless and full of nutrients to nourish your hair.

Archipelago Pomegranate Hand Cream

This Troc favorite became one of my personal favorites after one use. From someone with severely dry and rough hands, this tube of decadence provides a great comfort to the skin. The  pomegranate scent is one that's refreshing and not sugary sweet. The formula is silky and won't leave behind a greasy residue either. Could it be the perfect hand cream? All I can say is, it's my favorite thus far.


What are your favorite beauty items that you can't live without?


*Photos courtesy of Google Images

Unique Hostess Gifts

The holiday season is officially upon us, and that means it's time to prepare yourselves for the numerous sit-down dinner and cocktail parties you're sure to attend. A classy way to show your gratitude for being invited to the soiree is to present your hostess with a small gift. A typical gift is a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers. How boring! Stop by Trocadero to find unique gifts that are sure to impress your hostess (or host).

I like to stick to items meant for the home and not ones geared towards a specific person. Candles, books and vases are things everyone can enjoy. Red Flower candles come with a small heap of potpourri and are available in alluring scents like Italian Blood Orange, Indian Jasmine and Spanish Gardenia. Let her explore the homes of well-known Parisians in the book Paris Living Rooms, which is perfect for the coffee table in her living room. And Anne Black and Normann Copenhagen vases are simple enough to match any decor--and to hold the flowers that other guests bring.

Since your host or hostess has likely been slaving away in the kitchen, why not bring something he or she can use at the kitchen sink? Archipelago Pomegranate Hand Wash is one of our best-sellers. It smells absolutely delicious, but Malin + Goetz's Mojito Soap Set, a collection of three bar soaps in lime, rum and peppermint, is a great alternative. When the work is done, she can indulge in some MarieBelle. Trocadero carries three varieties of the dark chocolate bar: Mayan Chocolate, Aztec Hot Chocolate and Dark Hot Chocolate.

A John Derian paperweight would nicely contain that stack of bills and mail your hostess shoved in the corner. I particularly like the one that says "A Happy Home." Stationery is always something needed--and appreciated. These Cavallini Typewriter Thank You Notecards will come in handy when it's time for your hostess to thank people for their holiday gifts. Finally, who doesn't enjoy a fragrant home? A gift of Antica Farmacista home ambiance reed diffusers is sure to bring a smile to anyone's face.

So there you have it! Creative gifts you can bring with you the next time you're a guest at a party... and, lucky for you, they're all available at Trocadero!

Organizing with Anya (and Sarah)

I love Anya Hindmarch -- all of us Troc girls do! -- and so today when I got her latest email newsletter, I had to take a look. This issue included a link to a video of Anya showing how she keeps her own bag organized. Of course, her beautiful bag (of her own design, natch) includes lots of beautiful stuff inside, also all of her own design. I covet her "loose pockets" purses; we carry them at Trocadero and they're a lovely addition to an accessories wardrobe. I might have to finally pick one up at the Troc, especially now that I'm carrying Anya's Seasonal Tote as my go-to fall bag. (There's one left in the store - I highly recommend it!)

Just for fun, and because I love reading "what's in your bag?" blog posts, I included some photos of my Anya Seasonal Tote and the contents inside, to give our loyal Troc Talk readers an idea of just how versatile this bag really is: perfect for carrying a laptop or file folders, as a yoga tote or just to use every day (like I do!) My bag isn't nearly as stylishly organized as Anya's, though I think my love of all things Troc (hello Kidrobot keychains, Archipelago grapefruit lip gloss, BC I used to be a rice bag cell phone holder and Rafe wallet!) is easy to see.

Here is a rundown of what you see above, starting at top, clockwise: Bajra checkered wool scarf, green portfolio, daily newspapers, Rafe wallet, $7, work cell phone, blackberry, BC phone case, keys with Kidrobot Yummy Breakfast coffee and milk keychains, pen, a selection of lip gloss including Archipelago grapefruit, Chanel nail polish in Intermezzo, extra car key, computer drive holding all the computer documents I used for my wedding planning (hence the giant engagement ring keychain), Oso Burrito frequent buyer card, reading glasses, two checkbooks, RayBan aviators and a vintage Whiting and Davis bag I use for a makeup case. Below, a little closeup of some of my mini Kidrobot keychains: L to R: heart from "Things that Hurt" line, fireplace from "Luckies" line, bomb from "Things that Hurt" line and smiley green flower from the "Zipits" line. The little green guy and the coffee cup were the first two Kidrobot toys I ever bought - and the first purchases I ever made from the Troc!

Click here and click on "As Seen In" to see Anya talking bags and spilling the contents of her bag to the world.