Photo Love {Inspiration}: Beautiful escape via Numero May 2012

Beauty for some provides escape, who gain a happiness in eyeing the gorgeous buttocks of the ape or Autumn sunsets exquisitely dying. 

Langston Hughes

Numero May 2012

What do you find beautiful?

There are so many things about this season that I find beautiful - the budding bloom of fresh flowers, bright colors on a spring dress, and smiles from familiar friends (and new small friends as well).  I see beauty in both familiar people and objects as well as new ones.  I love to browse magazines photo spreads to check out not just the trends, but see pictures that really capture me.

It also reminds me of another reason why I like viewing other people's blogs.  I love seeing what they consider beautiful from their fashion and home editorials to new products to their own outfit posts.  It is definitely a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of my globe-trotting, apartment-moving, corporate days!  I am also reminded that while there is undisputed beauty in magazines, there is great beauty in the familiar and every day life as well.  Here is to wishing you beautiful things old and new that make you happy!

Have a lovely week! 

Worthy Reads Roundup - Win Japanese best selling beauty product Cure Natural Aqua Gel, Taking Time for yourself and Making Homemade Yogurt

Hope you had a great week lovelies!

Here is what happened at Chic 'n Cheap Living this week:

- Photo Love: Taking Time for yourself 

- Decor Thoughts: Too Much?

- Beauty Product Review/Chic 'n Cheap Living Contest: Cure Natural Aqua Gel (Japanese best selling product!)

- FFF - Chanel Makeup Tutorials and Much Needed Trips

Here are other worthy reads from blogger buddies and beyond:

- I LOVE yogurt and it is a favorite snack for both of us.  My colleague at my last job MADE his own yogurt and brought some in (yum).  Here is a tutorial for how you can make your own yogurt.

- I've been to a few fashion shows but have always been fascinated by what goes on behind the scenes.  if you're in France, you can go to this exhibit to view a cool exhibit of what goes into Paris Fashion Week.

- Brigitte Bardot was one of the earliest screen sirens. Isn't it funny that style from her time still looks fresh today?  Here is how you can pull it off.

- I wish I still lived in London so that I could enjoy these longer days, beautiful museums, and walks along the cobblestoned streets.  I didn't live there long enough to write an insider's guide to the city, but here is a list of London must dos if you are visiting soon.

FFF - Chanel Makeup Tutorials and Much Needed Trips

Happy Fun Free Friday lovelies!

Makeup Tutorials
Ahh Chanel...their spring colors really speak to the brightness and lightness of the season.  While we may not all go out and buy the entire collection, it is cool to see Chanel's quick tutorials on how you can quickly apply their colors for a fresh spring look.  While I may only get a Chanel lipstick or nail polish, I like how their videos explain how to apply and put together the colors.  Check it out here.

{Source}

Otherwise this weekend I am...
...flying to Washington DC, NYC, and then San Diego (all in one week!)  Sigh I will literally be spending 50 hours traveling starting from today.  But some really unfortunate things have happened recently to my loved ones in NYC and California.  One instance demonstrates that the Golden Rule does not always apply.  People can be just plain cruel to others sometimes even if they are treated with respect. I do believe in karma though - we all get what we deserve some day!  I am also glad that I get to see my two closest friends this week and an unfortunately ailing family member.  I would love your thoughts and good vibes for my loved ones! Life is about surrounding yourself with loved ones!

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Beauty Product Review/Chic 'n Cheap Living Contest: Cure Gel (Gentle Exfoliator)

How do you renew your skin?

I love Cate Blanchett and her skin is remarkable - {Source}

My skin regime has varied over the years and included everything from Neutrogena facial soup to the Clinique 3-step system (both great gentle cleansers).  But I always had a cleanser, some type of exfoliant, and a moisturizer (now I'm moving onto serums).  My husband loves his St. Ives peach apricot scrub because he says the rough scrubbing beads make him feel really clean (really I think he just likes the smell!)  But if you exfoliate too much you can actually damage your skin because the beads are too abrasive (hence why sugar scrubs aren't really recommended for the face).

So I was intrigued and happy to try Cure Natural Aqua Gel via Ppali Beauty (the first official distributor in the US); the company found me and offered a bottle of the gel after I first mentioned Cure in my winter beauty essentials post. Cure is s top-selling Japanese beauty product that my cousin first discovered in Singapore (ahh the things one discovers when she is waiting around in a drugstore!)  It is an exfoliating gel with no scrubbing beads and removes .01 mm of dead skin only leaving healthy skin intact.

I used Cure roughly twice a week for a few weeks.  I would apply a little on my freshly washed face at night.  It is a little bizarre to see my top layers of old skin clump up and come off after using the gel.  You need to quickly rinse your face after using the gel to remove all these bits which are still on the surface of the skin.  But I used this after applying makeup a few times and felt that it also worked to get my makeup off more cleanly; generally I did feel like it exfoliated my skin.  Cure also states that one of its main benefits is to allow a user's existing beauty products (moisturizer or serum) to work better.  I can't vouch for this aspect because I only used Cure for a few weeks.  But I did find the exfoliating to be very gentle and easy.  It would make sense that my products will absorb into my skin more easily after using Cure.

Likes
- It does what it says - gentle exfoliating
- Gel felt clean and left no chemical residue

Dislikes
- Dead skin clumping is not cool - rinse quickly!

Cost
- $36

Now for the giveaway - get your own bottle of Cure and 10 sample packets for travel or to share with friends.  This giveaway is open worldwide  and will be open for 11 days (woohoo!)

Also please let me know if you are having trouble with the Rafflecopter widget - if so, I'll just have entries be in this post's comments.

Read more »

Decor Thoughts: Too much?

{Source}

Can you have too much of a good thing? I loved the explosion of colors and patterns in these pictures, but have to admit that there may be a little bit too many things going on in the pictures!  But they still make for some fun pictures!

I'm also dealing with a few too many balls in the air this week.  But stay tuned for a lovely beauty giveaway tomorrow (open worldwide!)  I may be a bit more brief in my posts over the next few weeks as I traipse across the world, get our house ready, and start my new job.  But I'll still be by to visit and hope to use travel time as writing time!  

Photo Love {Inspiration}: Taking time for yourself

I restore myself when I'm alone.

Marilyn Monroe

{Source}

Sometimes I just love being surrounded by people.  I want to go out to dinner at a favorite restaurant, catch up with the girls over brunch, or just chat over some coffee and treats.  But I also treasure my time alone.  I can catch up on all the silly shows or websites that I'm afraid others might find ridiculous, imagine and keep on designing how our new home will look, and just think about next steps.

I love the picture above of Ms. Audrey Hepburn because she seems so contemplative and content.  I have been so busy with my incredibly stressful former job, the apartment move, and next job step possibilities that I haven't really taken time for myself.  I'm starting a new job in a few weeks and I think this is the best time to relax and take time not only for myself, but to those people I don't see often.  I'm doing a whirlwind trip to DC, NYC, and San Diego in a few days.  It will be great to take a few days for myself and then to see family and friends for a little while too.  I hope that this will really restore me and have me ready for what may come next!

Have a lovely week!

Worthy Reads Roundup - Fashion and Movies, 10 Top Cupcakes Bakeries in the US, and Solange Knowles' style

Hope you had a great week lovelies!

Here is what happened at Chic 'n Cheap Living these past two weeks:

- Photo Love: Fashion and Movie Inspiration via James Cameron for Harper's Bazaar 

- Hot under {$100}/Decor Thoughts: Vases for spring

- Long White dresses: Alternative Wedding Gowns under $1000
- Beauty Product Review: Cetaphil gentle cleaner
- FFF - Ann Taylor Friends and Family discount

Here are other worthy reads from blogger buddies and beyond:

- Everyone loves (or should love) smiling, but did you know the health benefits of smiling?  Elie breaks it down here.

{Source}

- Healthy eating is becoming more and more of a hot topic.  I naturally try to eat less meat, but here are some challenges of going vegan.

- The cupcake craze continues!  I like this list because it lists the 10 best places in the US (including gluten-free and healthy ones!)

- I'm always intrigued by Solange Knowles' fashion sense and isn't it interesting how different two siblings can be?

FFF - Ann Taylor Friends & Family and Craigslist shopping

Happy Fun Free Friday lovelies!

Online Discounts
I have a soft spot for pink and also think Kate Hudson is adorable.  I saw this dress and was smitten - it is such a summery shade and a fun look on an office staple (for me at least!)  This is at the top of my shopping list now (though sold out in my size online, arch!) and everything at Ann Taylor is 40% off with code FRIENDS during its Friends & Family discount.  Yes Ann Taylor, I will be your friend!

Deconstructed sheath dress, Ann Taylor, $88.80 after discount

I'm also thinking of picking up this lace t-shirt and this silk and cotton caftan.  How perfect for spring/summer nights (also I do have a slight obsession with lace I can actually wear to the office too!)

Save!
- Go to Mr. Rebates first and get cash back your entire purchase!  Here is my invite if you need it!

Otherwise, this weekend...

...I am doing a little furniture shopping via Craigslist.  I just bought an IKEA voucher at a slight discount (we need shelves anyway!) and I'm looking at someone's kitchen cart tomorrow.  I haven't bought that much off of Craigslist but am fascinated by all the cool things people sell.  It helps that people are constantly moving in and out of the city, so there are some goodies to be found!  Have you found anything good via this uber popular personal sales site?

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Beauty Product Review: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (for both ladies and men!)

I'm all about every day products that just work.

I'm surprised I haven't blogged about Cetaphil earlier because it is my go to cleanser and I've been using it for years!  It is a universal cleanser that is both great for daily face washing and for removing makeup; if I want to be extra thorough at removing makeup, I use a scrub or now Cure scrub less scrub (will blog about that later).  This is especially great for me since I live in the tropics most of the time and feel like I have to really clean my face but clean it gently.  It's also non-comodegenic and is recommended not only by dermatologists, but Allure and In style magazines.  A product that works well and is under $10 - sold!

Guys, I'm looking at you and hope you find this product useful (this isn't entirely a girly blog!)

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, Drugstore.com, $9.19

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser (I have used both and find them effective), Drugstore.com, $9.59

Long White Dresses 2012: Alternative Wedding and White Gowns under $1000

I will openly proclaim that one of my favorite parts of wedding planning was shopping for a wedding gown (you can't deny that many of them are just plain stunning!)  Unfortunately, I quickly discovered that many designers have their eyes set on ladies just like me and apply a not so lovely premium to wedding gowns.  Once you factor in the cost and time for alterations ($300+ for alternations?!), it is a few thousand you may have wanted to spend elsewhere.  While I had very specific tastes and was lucky enough to pay a few hundred each for my Pronovias La Sposa dress and my Monique Lhuillier gown, I wish I had known more about great gowns being produced by a few familiar retailers (the full list is here).

One of my best friends is getting married and had wanted some suggestions on where she could find affordable wedding gowns.  Ms. Efficient (she gets things done!) quickly found one at David's Bridal and no longer needs my suggestions, but I am happy to pass these along for any other bride or lady that just wants a rocking white gown (how great are some of these for a summer soiree!)

Maybe you're like me and are a lover of lace and light, feminine details.  If you love bows, delicate cuts and fabrics, then here are a few gowns for you.

1. Silk Dupioni Cascade Ruffle wedding dress, Ann Taylor, $795

2. Addison Lace dress, Saks Fifth Avenue, $288

3.  Olivia open back gown, Ann Taylor, $550

Maybe you don't want to spend a lot and you have an edgier aesthetic.  You may be looking for some blatant sexiness, asymmetry, and unique touches.  These dresses may be for you!

1. Badgley Mischka gown with beaded shoulder, Zappos, $750

2. Rachel Pally Kimber dress, Shopbop, $233

3. BCBG Max Azria Magdalena gown, Zappo's, $348

Maybe you're looking for something not quite floor length, but still fun.  If tea lengths are your cup of tea, here are a few options.

1. Tiffany dress, Ruche, $349.99

2. Embroidered tea length dress, Ann Taylor, $695

3.  Audrey dress, Ruche, $249.99

Hot under {$100}/Decor Thoughts: Vases for Showcasing Spring

Nothing says spring time like fresh flowers.

I love how a bouquet of flowers can brighten up a room.  I'm looking for a new vase or two so our home is always ready to receive fresh flowers.  True story - my vase broke and I was holding fresh flowers in a beer mug (which actually is a good choice for a rustic feel!)  I've since broken that too.  Keep your glass products away from me.

Anyway, I do love the wide ranges in vases; I can get anything from an everyday IKEA vase to a classic Waterford crystal vase (including one below for $100!)   There is a vase in every price range and even when it isn't holding flowers, it can still act as a beautiful decor piece and hold other knick knacks.

Here are a few favorite vases that are hot under $100:

1. Sasaki by Mikasa Linnea vase, Mikasa $79.99 (from $199.99)

2. Monique Lhuiller for Waterford Crystal Arianne vase, Bloomingdale's, $100

3. Countryside hurricane glass vase, Mikasa, $39.99

4. Villeroy & Boch vases signature collection, Macy's, $49.99 (from $72)
5. ÄLSKLIG, IKEA, $17.99
6. Evelyn Clear Small vase, Crate & Barrel, $18.95

7. Kate Spade Larabee Dot Cylinder Bud Vase, Lord & Taylor, $60

8. Artura Taupe Vase, Crate & Barrel, $89.95

Photo Love {Inspiration}: Movie and fashion inspiration via James Cameron for Harper's Bazaar

Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you're going to get.

Forrest Gump

 

{Source}

What was the first movie you ever saw?  I think the first movie I ever saw and remembered was "Big Trouble in Little China".  Ahh yes the days of Kurt Russell battling it out and random 80s special effects! I've been lazy recently about going out to the theatre to watch movies (blame it on my laziness and the fact that I see lots of movies anyway when I fly back home or for work).  But movies are really such amazing things - they are beautiful animated stories that can either be a stark, reflection of what has or is happening in the world or a vivid escape into fantasy.  

I came across this photo shoot pairing high fashion with James Cameron's most epic pictures.  He really had made a wonderful range of movies (seriously the guy who made "Avatar" made "Titanic" too?!)  That and one of my favorite movie quotes above remind me that life itself can be beautiful, diverse, and unexpected.  You never know what you're going to get - but you should sit back and enjoy in the meantime!

Have a lovely week!

Worthy Reads Roundup - Northern Indian Wedding in Rajasthan, Zoya Share the Love and free nail polish for new accounts, and the best time to buy flight tickets

Hope you had a great week lovelies!

Here is what happened at Chic 'n Cheap Living these past two weeks:
- Photo Love {Inspiration}: Touch of Whimsy
- Fashion and Interiors/Hot under {$60}: Tangerine Tango
- Decor Thoughts: Spring in the home via Marimekko (all under $100)
- Fashion Highlight: The perfect white shirt or dress via Zara April 2012
- FFF - Smile (Word as Art via Ji Lee)

- Photo Love: Gritty city beauty via Prada for LOVA S/S 2012 
- Travel Log: A Northern Indian wedding at Neemrana Fort-Palace hotel
- Worth it? Do icons and logos influence your shopping habits?
- Savvy vs. Splurge - Kate Spade and Juicy Couture cockatoo bangles (both hot under $150!)
- FFF - Zoya Share the Love program and free nail polish for new accounts

Here are other worthy reads from blogger buddies and beyond:

- Ice cream bars just got a little more stylish with the partnership between Magnum Mini (they have them in Asia and really are a great size!) and Alice and Olivia

- There is no doubt that pastels rock - here are a few combinations that ensure you are pairing your pastels in the edgiest way

- Love your partner but prefer your own space - how about having your own adjacent homes?

- I have quite a few trips coming up, including one back home to NYC and am constantly checking prices - here are some new finds on the best time to buy your flight tickets

FFF - Share the Love with Zoya - new accounts get a free nail polish and moving days

Happy Fun, Free Friday lovelies!

Online Discounts
You've heard me talk about Zoya before (especially during their annual free nail polish promotion!)  If you still haven't tried them and want to try a nail polish brand that is free of lots of "I don't need this on my body" chemicals like formaldehyde, now is a great time to spread the word!  Existing Zoya customers are part of the "Share the Love" program and can share products with their friends and get points for discounts.  New devotees that sign up with a shared link will automatically get a coupon for 1 free bottle of nail polish.  I love a win-win situation and it's even better when it involves fabulous color!
I've been thinking about a few new colors for my collection and these beautiful, bright shades are on the top of my list.  I especially love the blue and green shimmer of Charla!  The links below are Share the Love links so you get a free bottle of nail polish if you register with the link!

Wednesday

Paz

Charla 

Pippa 

Maya

Otherwise this weekend, I am...
...moving!  Luckily we are moving from one building to another building within our complex.  But there is still lots of final cleaning and packing to be done (groan).  We get the keys for the new place this weekend and the movers are coming Sunday (as much as I'd like to pretend, I can't possibly move the couch, table and TV!) My husband is actually more excited than I am!   I'm sure the unpacking will take a while as well, but it will still be pretty fun to have more than 400 extra feet and a new room!

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Savvy vs Splurge: Kate Spade and Juicy Couture Cockatoo Bangles (both hot under $150)

That Kate Spade is always creating one cute thing after another.

The present subject of cuteness: cockatoos.

Seriously - tropical birds?  Yep, these spiky haired birds are in a few places through out the Kate Spade website and now the bangle is most definitely on my wish list.  But I also happened to find a similar version of the bangle for Juicy Couture in which the bird is much more pronounced and the bangle itself is just under $100.  I'd still go for the Kate Spade for the slightly subtler effect.  Which bangle would you pick?

Kate Spade Kissing Cockatoos Bangle, Kate Spade, $148

Cockatoo Bangle, Juicy Couture, $98

Worth it? Do Icons/Logos influence your shopping habits?

Do interlocking CCs or GGs make your heart flutter?
Or are you a lady that longs for fleur de lis?
Are little animals on your polo shirts the perfect touch?

We are surrounded by brand logos from a very early age (true story: I once attended a baby shower and one of the gifts was a tiny pair of Air Jordans - talk about starting them young!)
I've never been a huge fan of being a walking advertisement myself (brands should pay me right?), but do admit I have a few things with logos (my vintage Chanel bag does have a logo in the front).

{Source}

But I am a bigger fan of subtle signs of a luxurious brand - the mademoiselle lock on a reissue bag to a signature bow from another Italian house are icons that make me swoon without fully announcing the name of the designer.  I do find it fascinating that people pay a premium for brands with certain icons.  For some, it can indeed be a sign of "I made it!" to flash a famous icon.  If you can afford it, why not flaunt it right?  Is carrying around an iconic bag the same as flaunting an outright logo (all people in the know will know that bag's shape or style right?)

When I started earning more money, I started to increase my spending little by little as well.  I have started to realize that some things, like Hermès scarves (the painstaking process of design and creation is detailed here), have materials or details that are worth the money.  But am I just being influenced by the brand itself in other cases (again going back to a Chanel classic flap bag)?

{Source}

So what do you think about icons and logos?  Are brands and logos worth it?

Travel Log: A Northern Indian Wedding at Neemrana Fort-Palace in Rajasthan, India

What do you imagine when you picture an Indian wedding?

If you envision vibrant jewel tones, contagious singing and dancing, and a visual delight of ceremony and fashion you are right on! This was actually the fifth Indian (Hindu) wedding I've attended but my first one in this region. The wedding venue, Neemrana Fort-Palace, only added to the romantic vibe of the occasion. The beautiful arches and architecture hailed from 1464 and have been restored in beautiful detail.   I'll write a separate review about the Fort because it was really lovely.   It was quite an experience walking on such lovely and historic grounds.  The warm colors and grand spaces just enhanced the beauty of the wedding itself (really when will you witness a wedding in an amphitheater?!)

Here are the highlights of the wedding:
The bride receives henna and there are lots of performances at the sangeet the day before the ceremony.

Flower petals adorn the grounds during the wedding day.

The bharat band and groom are here on the wedding day!  Don't try to out dance a middle-aged Indian lady.  You will lose and I can only say "Told you so!"

The ceremony progresses (for a while - it is actually common for most guests to leave because it is so long and the poor couple and family are left alone on stage!)

I told you it was in an amphitheater - lovely venue!

 What a way to end the night!

Photo Love {Inspiration}: Gritty City Beauty via Prada for LOVE S/S 2012

I have an affection for a great city.  I feel safe in the neighborhood of man, and enjoy the sweet security of the streets.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

{Source}: LOVE S/S 2012

I am and always will be a city girl (NYC to be exact!)  I grew up being surrounded by masses of people, a cacophony of street noises, and a hustle and bustle that always kept me moving.  I am living in my third major city now (NYC, London, sorta Paris, and now Singapore) and really love the characteristics of each place.  What I love about most of those cities (especially evident in NYC) is the energy of the people and almost the place itself.  It can be a dark and gritty place, but still remain beautiful.  There can be a buzz of activity and excitement that differs by neighborhood - just compare the Lower East Side to Midtown!  I think that this type of vibe rubs off on me as well and makes me want to do and see everything!

Well I am now off to do and see something a bit tamer in Kerala this week.  I am on a houseboat trip today exploring the backwaters of this mellow place.  While I do love these relaxing breaks, I am sure I will also be itching to get back to city life soon.

What is your favorite city?

Have a lovely week!