Dior...J'adore!

The Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm from Dior is something that you need to have with you at all times. It is a simple balm but it enhances the color of your lips. It is not sticky, and it obviously looks super natural!

Dior Addict. Lip Glow Color Reviver. $29

(Buy it at Sephora or even on Amazon)

Charly adores.

HalloweeN

Halloween is, as most people say, the excuse for every girl to dress sluty.... soooo, I decided to go as Cat Woman BUT I decided to stay very decent for several reasons (it is freezing cold + snowing, so there is no way I am going to run half naked in the city, also, I kinda ate a lot of brownies and muffins, and for those reasons no one is going to want to see me half naked... :-). And because I did not want to spend a fortune on my costume, I tried to use as many things as possible from my closet. Take a look:

Talula tank top from Ariztia. $30

American Eagle. Black Jeggings. $34

Louboutin. Lady Lynch. $625
http://us.christianlouboutin.com/shoes/pumps/lady-lynch-120mm-19974.html

I just added a black mask and cat ears and I was all good! 

For night number two I was a basketball player from the 70's.... (affro +tiny short).

It is so much fun to dress up and go out. (use halloween as an excuse to buy new clothes that you are going to use for the winter season)!

What were you for Halloween? 

Graffiti Food & Wine

Jehangir Mehta is one of the great chefs in the city. He was chosen by Jean Georges to open Mercer kitchen and that was and still is a big success! Then, he decided to spread his wings and open his own restaurant: Graffiti Food & Wine. This is a little diamond!!!! The food is amazing and cheap(all the dishes are $12 or $15), the wine list is small but they are all really good and again they are at very reasonable prices ($25 for any of their bottles). The restaurant is tiny, you sometimes have to share a table with other people, but the atmosphere is always convivial. It is tapas style, so you share little plates of food. It's even more fun to go with a few friends to be able to try more tapas. Here are a few dishes you cannot miss: 
-The Braised pork buns, apricot chutney
-The Duck portobello gratinee, mustard onion confit 
-The Zucchini Hummus Pizza 
If you are vegan or need to eat gluten free, no worries, they will tailored the dishes just for you. 
The restaurant is located on 10th street between 1st and 2nd Ave. 
Enjoy! (and don't forget to tell me how much you liked it...) 
http://www.graffitinyc.com/

For those of you who are too far to try it now, I have the solution. He wrote a book called "Mantra: The Rules of Indulgence" for $14 on Amazon. 
http://www.amazon.com/Mantra-Rules-Indulgence-Jehangir-Mehta/dp/B003JTHVDI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319866101&sr=8-1

On Bleecker....

Very good news for my NewYorkers, two awesome French brands are finally coming to the city! Maje & Sandro are going to open their doors in a few days on Bleecker street at the number 415 & 417. WouhoU. And even more good news, they are launching their US online store very soon as well! 

If you do not already know these brands. What can you expect? 

Maje. Jacky Blue Skirt. $145

Maje. Hiss Grey Sweater. $160

 Sandro. Leather Pants. $710

Sandro. Pink Shirt. $285

Sandro. Wool and Leather skirt. $285

Maje. Khan Grey Bag. $150

Maje. Alexine Coat. $480

FYI: Expect the prices to be higher in the US.... (compared to the ones your could be used to in France or Belgium). 

In the meantime, you can buy these 2 brands online on net a porter → http://www.net-a-porter.com/

Run Charly....Run!

I just wanted to share my happy sneakers days with you!


YESTERDAY: Clear blue skies + a freezing sun (in Charly's vocabulary it means sunny but COLD). I was very excited by this weather as it was finally cold enough to wear the Miu Miu sneakers I bought over two months ago (they look pretty winterish so I really could not wear them when it was still hot outside).

Tadaaaa... I fell in<3 with these Miu Miu Embellished Velvet sneakers the moment I laid eyes on them. 

Can you blame me?!

I added this picture so that you could see that the velvet is actually green 

(the green is very dark though)

http://www.miumiu.com/en/US/e-store/dep/shoes/cat/sneakers

TODAY: Beautiful and cold as well. I would advise everybody to walk on the side of the sidewalk where the sun shines, which is not always easy to find in the city (especially around midtown and the financial district with all of these tall buildings...). This weather made me want to wear some warm and stylish shoes so I  decided to unwrap the box of my Isabel Marant's sneakers that I received a little over a month ago. Because of the 5cm (2inches) wedges inside they make your legs look great!

Isabel Marrant Bekket High Top Suede Sneakers

It was just so hard to find a pair, that when I received them, I was ecstatic! 

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/171121

The Awakening of Senses by MiN

There is nothing better than standing outside a store and having an irresistible envy to get in. Could it have  been the golden letters of the word Apothecary, or just the word in itself? Or the big chesterfield, the dark wood of the shelves and the soft lighting? Or even the candles all lined up in their bubble glass? I do not know, but what I am sure is that I was all but disappointed once I stepped inside. It was full of amazing products, and just by looking at the candles I had a sudden envy to buy one. It is a great experience to find your candle at MiN. You first need to understand that you have to smell the inside of the glass on top of the candle and not the candle itself...duh...Apparently 80% of people do smell the candle (should I mention that I was NOT part of the 20% ;-) Then, you also have a charming man helping you out and talking to you about each candle and the brand (should I also admit that when he asked me which one I liked so far, I could not remember which one was which...oupsy). In the end, with his kind help I found the perfect candle!

I should have probably stopped after the candle, but there was still so much to discover in the store...it was like my senses were taking over me (that is including by 'shopaholic sense')... They have some bubble bath, perfumes, creams, even toothpastes in beautiful packaging. It is also a great place if you want to spoil your man with shaving tools, or a great aftershave. 

MiN NY location in Soho: 117 Crosby St (between Prince & W.Houston)

 The Trudon Candles. This brand exists since 1643, and is the world oldest wax producing manufacture! They are the company who have been making the candles for the churches (they actually sell them and I smelled it... it felt so real that I was almost ready to feel bad for spending $85 on a candle).

 Trianon:
"The picking of jacinth, roses, white flowers, with herbs from the meadows and graminaceous plants, this bunch of flowers reminds us of an ideal nature, that of the Nouvelle Heloise and the country life dreams of Marie Antoinette. Vibrating with the memory of a summer evening and the warm scent of musk of torches, this candle is a homage to the Queen of taste who inspired so many candles to Maison de cire Trudon."

(and I am going to write you the french version for my Frenchies)
"Ceuillette de jacinthes, de roses, de fleurs blanches, d'herbes folles et de gramines, ce bouquet evoque une nature ideale, celle de la Nouvelle Heloise, et de reveries champetres de Marie- Antoinette. Dans le souvenir vibrant d'un soir d'ete et la tiedeur musquees des flambeaux, cette bougie est un homage a la Reine du gout qui inspira tant de bougie a la maison Trudon."
Isn't this pretty?!

The toothpaste Marvis with the Jasmine Mint flavor. $12

Penhaligons' Lily of the Valley Hand and Body Cream. $50
It smells amazing, and it is soft and non-sticky.

Charly totally loves...  oh, and they of course have an online store → https://minnewyork.com/

Charly's Favorite Cupcake

I love everything that contains sugar...the more, the better... I'd rather skip an appetizer just to be able to have two deserts! My excuse: I am Belgian, I have chocolate running through my veins, so it's totally healthy for me to feed on sugar!
Because I am in NY, I decided to go on a hunt to find the best cupcake in town. My Fave: The miniature cupcake flavor cookie dough from "Baked By Melissa", it is just to die for...
Also, now on her website you can customize your own cupcake and then order as many as you want (with a minimum of 50).

 Here is her window on Spring St (at the corner of Broadway) $10 for 12 mini cupcakes

 Check out the website to create your own cupcake

http://bakedbymelissa.com/

 The 3 in the middle are the cookie dough. YummY YummY YummY 

 This is the cutest one: The Red Velvet! 

Pretty Headbands at Pretty Prices

Deepa Gurnani is everywhere! I have to admit, I am a big fan of her headbands, and some of her clutches are beautiful too. And yes, I also love the fact that she was designing some headbands for Alexander McQueen and Fendi while still in school (pretty bad ass...). She is now working with her husband and together they design the headbands we are all big fans of. 

The main reason I wanted to talk to you about these handbands is because I found THE store where to buy them: Anthropologie! This is the cheapest place to shop this brand. (I, of course, discovered this after I already bought a few of them at several other stores in the city for over $75 when each of them approximately cost $30 at Anthropologie). Do not make the same mistake I did.... and go check their store/ or their online store right now ;-)  → http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp

 The Swooping Paisleys Headband. $32

 The Tyche Headband. $32

Here under is the exact link to get to this one (otherwise just go into hair accessories and you will recognize the ones from this brand mostly due to the fact that there is some cute fabric inside) 

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=23383441&catId=ACCESSORIES-HAIR&pushId=ACCESSORIES-HAIR&popId=JEWELRYACCESSORIES&navCount=378&color=010&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=ACCESSORIES-HAIR&templateType=subCategory

 The Race Track Headband. $32

 The Slice Gourd Headband. $32

Even Natalie Portman has one ;-) 

Never Without My Moleskine

The legendary MoleskineS have been reappearing as the cool notebooks to own. Everybody now has one of their agendas or one of their classic notebooks in their bags at all times, and that is perfectly fine, I do too. But they created something better: A notebook that you will believe has only been created for you...and for your passions! They are called the "Passion Books" and they range from cooking, to style, to movies, to gardening, to traveling, to babies and even to your furry friends! I bought the one for the recipes and received the one for the Style and they are so much fun to use.  You can name or rename the different tabs, you receive 200 fun stickers, and the way the notebook is organized is just genius. I never go anywhere without my "Style" Moleskine because every time I shop in a great store, or I discover a new website, or I have a new idea to share with you on my blog, I write it down immediately (everything is now in one place instead of spread out on a million different tiny pieces of paper).

Moleskine. Style Journal. $20

http://www.moleskineus.com/moleskine-passion-books.html

Here is the Video of the Moleskine City Notebook NEW YORK. $18
They have more cities and it is a great tool to prepare your trip as well as to use when traveling!
This is also a great gift idea! (Christmas is not so far) 

http://www.moleskineus.com/moleskine-city-books.html

Which one are you going to buy? 

My Favorite Olive is Definitely Pink

'Pink Olive' is the kind of store that makes you feel good the moment you step inside. The store is small but there is a lot of little gifts and cards and baby clothes, and jewelry, and books, and....so many more things, that you just want to spend the entire afternoon looking around. The manager of the store, Elizabet, is bubbly and very sweet, she will definitely make your buying experience a great one. For the ones who cannot make it to NY, nothing to worry about, they have a website (and of course an online store) → http://pinkolive.com/

Here are some of the items I could not resist buying:

 Snow & Graham. You Rule Card. $4.

 Night Owl Paper Goods. Latte Love Wooden Card. $6.

Night Owl Paper Goods. Baby Hoot Pink Card. $6

 Paper Lovely.Mwah Set of Cards (5 cards+5 envelopes) .$16.

 Erica Weine. Scissors Necklace. $58. 

 Atsuyo & Akkiko. Je t'aime NY Tote Bag. $24

Rae Dunn. Card/Photo Holder. $8 each.

Decoration idea: 

1.  I bought the letter C for Charly (obviously) at Urban Outfitters for $10/letter 

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=17454521&color=001&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump&search=true&isProduct=true&parentid=A_DECORATE

2.  I bought the clothespins 'Maileg' from Pink Olive $12 for a pack of 16

3.  Take some pictures/cards and attach them to the letter with the cute clothespins

Don't Kiss Me....

Charly's Morning Routine (after I am done showering):
1. I wash my face with the Cleanance Gel from Avene
2. I apply some Hydra Life cream from Dior
3. If I am really pale (which I am most of the time), I will wear some of the phyto touch 'sun glow' from Sisley (a very natural blush)
4. I like red cheeks, so I add the Sheertone 'Pink Swoon' from Mac on them
5. If I have to look decent because I gotta go to work, I will put some 'Diorshow black out Mascara' from Dior
6. I always put some lipbalm 'Chapstick' to have soft lips
7. Heaven: My favorite part => LIPSTICKS
I am not a big make up person BUT I am obsessed with what goes on my lips. Wearing Lipstick/Lipgloss is like wearing an accessory. If you wear something more sheer you can put more make up on your eyes, but if you wear a strong color (on your lips), try to keep it simple on the rest of your face and also be careful with what you do with your hair...the line between looking sexy and looking trashy is sometimes thinner than what you think. Lipsticks can change your look completely and reveal the person you want to be!

My favorite brand of the moment is 'Tom Ford'. They are about $48 each, not cheap but really worth it as they last for hours and the colors are simply amazing. I bought the Cherry Lush and it looks great by day and by night. They are not always easy to find, but in New York, you can buy them at Jeffrey's in the Meatpacking district, or online at the Bergdorf online store → http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/template/catC9.jhtml?itemId=cat377811&parentId=cat377803&masterId=cat245100

STEP 1: 'Cherry Lush'

I added a few more colors so that you can see how FANTASTIC they are....

 'Sable Smoke'

'Black Orchid'

'Violet Fatale'

If I wear an already strong color during the day, I need to switch it up or add something extra for the night. I found the Chanel 'Rouge Allure Laque' and I picked the Color 75 called 'Dragon'. It is a strong Red and it looks Gorgeous. Unfortunately it is a limited edition, so hurry up!

STEP 2: Chanel. Rouge Allure Laque. Dragon. $32. Buy it online right here →

http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Lipgloss-ROUGE-ALLURE-LAQUE-88812

My last miracle product is also from Chanel. (Also limited from the Chanel Christmas Collection). It is to put on top of the three layers you already have (Chapstick + Tom Ford Cherry + Chanel Laque). But do NOT put it all over your lips, just put it on the middle of your bottom lip (just a touch). It will attract the light and make your lips look simply Perfect! 

STEP 3: Chanel. Levres Scintillantes Glossimer. Sparkle d'Or. $28. Buy it here →

http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Lipgloss-LÈVRES-SCINTILLANTES-88721

One advise though: Do NOT kiss anyone because it won't look pretty ;-) 

As Simple as Hop Hop Hop ☁

This French designer simply makes the cutest jewelry.... I love the clouds! You have to check out her website, it was 'made in' cuteness (I am totally overusing the word cute...oupsy!)  → http://hophophop.fr/

You can find her designs at many locations all over the world (especially in Europe) + on plenty of online stores such as http://www.paris-air.com/designers/2_hop-hop-hop/products. The prices do never go over $100 from what I have seen online.  Go Crazy!