Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow,.....

Meribel (The Alps), France
The weather is fabulous, the snow is delicious, and my gifts under the Christmas tree were marvelous.... I couldn't ask for a better Christmas! But apparently, 1 out of 4 people in France did not like their gifts... (that was my interesting fact of the day). I am a big 'make a list' believer. So, for those who didn't like their gifts: next year, make a list!
Next thing to worry about: Enjoying your vacations for those who are off, and New Year Eve. Do you know what your going to wear?! I will give you plenty of ideas in the next few days... In the meantime, for those who are enjoying the snow: Here is what I would chose if I had to buy skis and a snowboard (that's if I had an unlimited budget ;-)

The Rolling Stones limited edition K2 skis

K2. Rolling Stones Sideshow Skis. 

This is a Limited Edition

& the Chanel Snowboard

Chanel. Snowboard covered in cherrywood. 

If they could take the Chanel off the board it would be even more perfect...

but I wouldn't be difficult if it was given to me ;-) 

Xmas Nails

Brussels, Belgium
For Xmas, I love to go for Red Nails, probably because if feels Christmassy to me...  When I am in NY before buying a color that I really like, I try it on when I go to the mani/pedi place and if after a week I am still a big fan I buy it. (that's when I shop 'smart'). Otherwise, I am in a store, I probably already have something on my nails so I don't try it out at all, buy it, and then realize that I am not a big fan once it is on my nails.... However, I discovered that OPI have a really cool way to help you shop 'smart' on their website. You get to try it: You chose the color of your skin, then the length of your nails, then you pick the colors you like. Have I just spent 15minutes trying them all, and then retrying them all because I couldn't remember which ones I actually liked?! Yes, I did, and I had fun!

I love these two types of Cherry colors....

Try it on the OPI website http://www.opi.com/

Unfortunately, after the holidays we are going to have to take good care of our bodies again as the summer will arrive that (but I will not talk about this subject as we all ready to stuff ourselves with a lot food starting tomorrow...) In the meantime, I will talk about taking care of our nails....

Mine are in a pitiful state: completely broken and so weak that when they grow they break. It is time to do something. Fortunately for me (as this is not the first time that this has happened) I know the drill!

The best Solution ever invented by men for nails is called HEROME. 

Depending on how terrible they look and are you have several cure options. Mine being close to decomposition (that's pretty gruesome...maybe I exaggerate a bit') I start the cure with the 'Herome Nail Hardener Sensitive'. For this one the cure lasts 21days (I know it's long....) 

Herome. The Nail Hardener Soft. 14€

How to Use it: 

*Day 1, Apply a first coat

*Day 2, Apply a second coat

*Day 3, Remove both coats

*Day 4, Copy day 1, and so on,.... 

*Day 21, You Are Done! (or at least done with this product) because it is best if you continue with the 'Nail Hardener Strong'. That treatment only lasts for 14 days...! And then if you want or if your nails are already in good shape but you want them to be ultra strong you have the 'Nailhard Extra Strong' 

Herome. The Nail Hard Extra Strong. 14€

My advice to you: If you had gel manicures or any other fake nails you have to start with the sensitive Herome nail hardener. And if you have the courage do at least the 21days cure for sensitive nails followed by the 14days cure with the nail hardener strong! For 30 euros and a month of patience you can regain beautiful and strong nails, it is worth it!  (you can always add it to your resolution list for 2012...) but I am starting my cure the day after Christmas! Who's going to do the same??? 

Also, Herome has a website but it is in Dutch so my Belgians and my Girls from the Netherlands go ahead and order you products from the website http://www.herome.com/ (even if you do not speak the language I am pretty sure you could understand how to buy them online from that website ;-)  

Otherwise not to worry I checked online and you can buy these products off many websites! (just google it) 

I wish you all a Super Happy Christmas! I am leaving tomorrow to go skying in the Alps for a week. There is no wifi in the chalet I am staying at (arghhhhh....) but not to worry, I will bring my computer and I will definitely find some wifi in the village (right?! :-)

XO's   

Visual DNA

I know that some of you have to work today... I know it sucks, if you are busy (which most of you will) the day will go fast. If, on the other hand, you are stuck at work with nothing to do I've got something for you: It is called a Visual DNA test and it is freakishly accurate...
Click here under and Have Fun! (it will take you about 5 minutes to do it and 3 minutes to read the results)

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1xOIfg/personality.visualdna.com/1/index.php

Apparently, I am a Seeker....what are you?! 

Parisian Chic... Say Hello to Your New Bible!

Paris, France

As I told you in my previous post Paris is more than a city, it is a lifestyle, a state of mind, a way of being. 

We all want a new Parisian best friend to go shopping and discover Paris. I found this new best friend...and she is pretty awesome! She is tall, skinny, beautiful; she is a fashion icon, an ex top model, and she shares all of her fashion secrets with me...her name: Ines de la Fressange. Very fancy I know.... 

Okay, I have to admit, Ines and I don't know one another (although I wish :-) , but her book PARISIAN CHIC is my new best friend ;-)

It is a guide to learn how to dress like a parisian, where to go shopping, where to stay and eat in Paris, how to decorate your home,... this book is a Must Have and a great gift.

Ines de la Fressange, Parisian Chic. Flammarion. $29

Paris/New York Chic

Paris, France
Living in New York you get used to be polished! You have to be look perfect from head to toe. New Yorkers always have shiny perfectly blow dried hair, wonderful manicure that look like they never chip, and always the latest accessories! I am always so stunned when I go out to see how stylish people look!
When you go to Paris, it is totally different. When girls go out they try to look like they haven't spent hours getting ready (even when they actually did), they have that French 'je ne sais quoi' that makes them look so natural and so beautiful. It is two completely different styles and I have to say that I am mesmerized by both.

Here is a clear example. Both Sarah Jessica Parker & Lou Doillon on the Red Carpet of the Metropolitan Museum.

 Lou Doillon. 

Hair down, the big bangles and the leather jacket gives her a look that says 

'I was getting ready to go out but I decided to keep it casual. I was in a rush anyways'

 Sarah Jessica Parker

Super shiny hair down with the giant flower, the mermaid dress that is flying around her says

'I spent the entire day getting ready for this moment' 

So tell me, Are you more New York Chic or Paris Chic? 

My Mou

Brussels, Belgium
It has been snowing for the last two nights and it is freezing cold. I was still wearing my converse (obviously) when my throat started killing me. It was my indicator that I had to change shoes. I went for the MOU, they are so warm and so perfect that I don't ever want to take them off. I have never been a big fan of UGGS (maybe because I have long feet, I am a 9US/39.50EU) and the fact that MOU added the  details to their boots make a huge difference on what your feet look like. It makes them look smaller and they are simply more stylish.

Mou. Eskimo. 208€

You can buy them online on the Mou Website →
http://www.mou-online.com/women/eskimo-boot.html

'C de C'.......A World of Cuteness

Brussels, Belgium
When I have to shop for baby items, I try to buy them off the internet so that I don't go too crazy. Because in a store, I end up buying for way more than the budget I previously decided on....I have to admit that I love shopping for my friends' babies (because everything is so cute!)
A few days ago, I had no option but to go to a store to buy presents and I went to C de C, and I thought 'Thank God, I don't have any kids right now because I would buy the entire store!'
They sell this brand all over the world...http://cdec.be/fr/dealers.cfm so no matter where you are you can go shopping for babies and kids and be sure to find something adorable.
In Brussels C de C is 204 Rue Washington, 1050 Brussels.

Xmas Baby 49

Furry Coat. 45

Flower Shirt. 36

Dress. 45

FYI: They have bigger size, up to a size 38. So if you are 'petite' you might fit in some of their clothes as well. I found a leopard print shirt for my sister for Xmas. 

Have a Great Week

(Only 5 days left to find gifts for Xmas.....)

Charly will be in Paris for the next 3 days! WouHoU. 

Personal Touch....

I love to receive presents with an added personal touch. Everybody loves to receive presents but there always is a difference between the nice expensive gift and the gift that someone has really thought about... For instance, I love receiving jewelry (who doesn't...) but what I adore even more is an object that means something. I found something that is exactly that (at a reasonable price).

It is a long thin chain with a medallion in which you can put two pictures.... They are 75€ each

Trois Petits Points

http://troispetitspointsparis.blogspot.com/

Buy them at Blender 

18 Rue des Chartreux

1000 Brussels 

OR online 

http://www.blender01.com/en/all-items/categories/accessoires/trois-petits-points-medaillon.html

A present for your mum, your sister, your cousin, your best friend. 

Just add two cute pictures of people they care about and you will be considered the Best Santa of 2011

Somebody That I Used to Know

Brussels, Belgian

A Belgian singer that I love... I cannot stop listening to this song

Gotye. Somebody That I Used To Know.

The video is kind of weird...but it's very artsy

Charly's Favorite Street in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the Netherlands
This is my last post on Amsterdam. And it is about a piece of a street on which every store is worth entering! The name of the street is Herenstraat.  Stores I loved:

BlackSheepRoad located at 6 Herenstraat  http://www.blacksheeproad.com/
They have Rules by Mary, Second Female, Le Mont St Michel, By Zoe, Mini for Many,...... You can order everything online and for free delivery you can enter the online promo code: FreeDel19
Here under are a couple of image of brands they carry so that you can have an idea of how cool this store is.

This is the Swedish brand RULES BY MARY

I bought the Grey sweater on the right but in black and it looks almost as good as on the model...

http://www.rulesbymary.com/

Also Rules by Mary... 

I just love everything on this picture (Please Santa....I promise I'll be better next year!)

The French brand BY ZOE

 By Zoe

By Zoe

http://www.byzoe.fr/

From DEAR CREATURES

http://dearcreatures.com/

Niels located at 15 Herenstraat. It is a store full of accessories for your home. From a Fatboy to something to decorate your table for Christmas. It is the shop you want to go to make your home more stylish and more fun.    They don't have a website at the moment

Kabinet located at 13 Herenstraat http://www.kabinet-amsterdam.nl/ A miX of Vintage and New from Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, Isabel Marant, Costume National,... and you want to know the best part: Everything is 50% OFF right now!

NMBR NINE. Ipad Case. 97€ after 50% OFF

I fell for this Ipad Case in Python with Lamb lining

I've been looking for one since for over a year...and it was 50% off...

The only problem is....now that I have one.... 

....I feel like I should have them all!

(not going to happen..I know)

 If you want to dream, go ahead http://nmbrnine.com/ 

Tangram located at 9 Herenstraat. It is a store full of fun gadgets and children's toys. They don't have a website right now but I would advise you to go to the store.
As I decided to go for a healthier lifestyle for 2012, I bought a lunch box to make my own lunch (I am wondering how long that resolution is going to last....)

Black + Blum. Bento Box. 17€ 

Black + Bum. Lunch Pot. 19€ 

http://www.black-blum.com/homepage/

I also go crazy for little notebooks that seem to be very useful when I buy them ;-)

Mark's Japan. A little bag that to storage items 

(for example: instead of throwing in your bag, just put it in the this little flat bag)

Mark's Japan. 2012 Planner with the storage.

http://www.marks-japan.eu/en/

I had a lovely time in Amsterdam and hope to go back very soon. I will be in Brussels for the rest of the week ;-) I will keep you posted on all the best last minute gifts and more......

'Make Up Not War' by Ellis Faab

Buying make up is great, returning the empty shell after is even BetteR!

All of Ellis Faab's products come in pens that are shaped as bullets. Once your pens are empty, you should return them to the store where you bought them from because they will be reused by visual artists to make art pieces that will then be auctioned. All the money raised will go to the charity War Child, which helps kids affected by armed conflicts. I think it is a wonderful idea!

There are a few more things that I really like about this make up artist: The fact that she uses colors that you could find in a human body. Even if some tone are very vivid, they always seem natural. I also love the fact that for once you have the artist herself showing you how to apply the make up she designs

↓

http://www.ellisfaas.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75&Itemid=72

I bought the 'Milky Lips' and I am ready to go buy some more lipstick from her. They make your lips look delicious ;-)

Milky Lips. L203.  25€

The oils that are in this product will make your lips 'appear fuller & enhance their 3D effect' 

http://www.ellisfaas.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=31&category_id=8&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2

Her Website → http://www.ellisfaas.com/

It's all about Bikes....

Amsterdam, the Netherlands
In Amsterdam, one thing is sure: It is all about Bikes!

Want to pimp your ride? I found a website to accessorize your bike.It is called BikeCap. Everything is super Kitschy I have to admit... but I feel that going for fun stuff to 'dress up' your bike is totally acceptable (especially if it's useful)!

BikeCap. The Bike Cap. 9.95€

BikeCap. The Gloves. 29.95€ 

BikeCap. BoxCap. 14.95€ 

 BikeCap. BoxCap Deluxe. 34.50€ 

BikeCap. Pillow. 19.50€ 

Here is the website → http://www.bikecap.nl/en/