Monday Bits and Bobs

Happy Monday- I hope that all of you had a lovely weekend. As the weekend came to an end there were a few things on my mind that I wanted to share.

I wanted to let you know that Lola's Secret Beauty Blog was named one of the Top 20 Beauty Blogs of 2013. I am very honored to be included on this list! The press release was announced here.

I think perhaps there is something inherently wrong with the way the stars are aligned or something- I went shopping with my sister and niece this weekend (back to school shopping-which is only for the brave because of the crowds and lines), and I returned home empty-handed. I have told you numerous times that I have forced myself into a "cooling off period" before making makeup purchases to make sure that I really want the items, and am reasonably certain that I will actually use these items.

I sought out the following collections: Chanel Les Beiges, Dior Pop Art Collection, Giorgio Armani Scarabeo Kaleidoscope Collection, and the entire new Marc Jacobs Makeup Collection. I can't tell you why I didn't buy a thing, but nothing really grabbed me in the moment.

Chanel Les Beiges looked very nice, and the powders were very finely milled, but I don't need another face powder.

Dior Pop Art Collection was beautiful, and while I didn't make a purchase- I definitely am interested in the Diorblush Colour Flash for Cheeks in Capri (of course it's the light pink one). I loved the color and the texture.

The Giorgio Armani eye shadows were gorgeous, but the counter that I went to was missing the Sales Associate, and appeared to have sold out of several of the Eyes to Kill Shadows- so I will have to visit another counter to swatch them all (assuming that they haven't sold out). They have a gorgeous duo-chrome finish that offers a chameleon-like complexity. For gorgeous swatches visit Sara at Color Me Loud!

As a huge fan of Marc Jacobs, in general, I thought that I might be over the moon about his new makeup collection, but for some reason nothing really spoke to me. The packaging is modern, the range of colors is pretty, but nothing beckoned me. I swatched a few bits and pieces, but walked away. I thought maybe I would want to try his Lust for Lacquer Lip Vinyl Lip Gloss in Overprotected. It is a pretty, albeit not very unique, light pink- but when I swatched it on my arm I felt that I already had too many colors in this range so I decided not to try it.

I did go and swatch several Tom Ford Lipsticks for a lovely and devoted reader who has coloring similar to mine. She lives nowhere near a Tom Ford Counter and really wanted to decide whether or not the colors that she was interested in would look good on her skin, and whether they are worth the hefty $49.00 price tag. Sadly I didn't have my camera- only my iPhone, but I will get those pictures edited and posted this week.

I am currently completely obsessed with Aftelier Perfumes Rose Face Elixir with Sandalwood and Frankincense- it is an unbelievably decadent luxury face oil that is utterly swoon-worthy! I am transfixed by the scent, and amazed how great my skin looks after having used it for a while. Pure unmitigated luxury!

Current television obsessions:

Do any of you watch Ray Donavan? What a great show. It started this season, and I have managed to see most of the episodes. It is so well done that I might get Showtime again for this show alone. If you were a fan of the Sopranos, then Ray Donavan should appeal to you. It is a smart drama set in LA, and Liev Schreiber is brilliant in the leading role. He plays a Hollywood insider who is essentially a higher brow mob "fixer" with some street thug roots. Loving it!

If you love HGTV type remodeling/decorating shows, but want a bit more edge and humor- then you may find yourself hopelessly addicted to Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis. If you loved watching his last show Flipping Out, then you will probably really love Interior Therapy. Don't worry, the F-Bombs get bleeped out- if swearing bothers you- but when things get heated up there's lots of bleeping!

What's on your mind as you start out this new work week?