Coquette

Clarins Total Eye Concentrate: Keep Dark Circles and Puffiness Away

Since last summer, I have been looking for a new eye cream. I wanted something that would be good for anti-aging as well as for keeping my dark circles and puffiness away. (Ah the joys of having a toddler.) I have now been using Clarins Total Eye Concentrate ($82) for over a month now and the results have been great. I look more refreshed around my eyes and I can skip concealer to cover up some of my past dark circles.

A huge plus about what I love about the Clarins products is that they feel light and are not stocked with heavy perfumes. Also, Clarins does one of the best jobs to show you how to apply the product (see video below). To me, it's not just important to have a product, you really have to know how to put it on in order to get the results you want. For eye cream, it is very important you only put it on the skin around the bone of your eye. Do not rub it right below your delicate eye skin or on the entire skin of your eye lid (that will make your eyelids droopy when you are old). The pressure point to releive puffiness is right at the bone in the middle below your eye and the pressure point to relieve stress is at your temples. I usually use my third and fourth fingers to gently tap on the eye cream and I press on the pressure points with my fourth finger.

Give yourself 3-4 weeks to see the results and follow the method that Clarins easily outlines. It's all well worth it to maintain the natural beauty and youthfulness of your skin.

A wonderful tip I got from Clarins was to put my eye cream in the fridge. It feels wonderfully cool when I put it on each day!

Note: Total Eye Concentrate Eye Cream was provided by Clarins for review purposes.

Alice + Olivia's New Handbag Collection: Spotted on Gwyneth Paltrow

(Photos: VLNY/Zodiac/Splash News and Zimbio)

Gwyneth Paltrow has been seen recently around L.A. with the stylish color block satchel, the Olivia bag ($495), one of the upcoming new handbags in alice + olivia's new handbag collection that comes out soon. The satchel comes with a long chain strap that makes it perfect for crossbody wear. I also love her matching D Tote bag ($595) when she's at LAX (pictured above right). The black and white color-blocking looks luxe and is a top look for spring. I can't wait to see what else is in store in the new collection.

The new handbags be available at www.aliceandolivia.com and alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet boutiques nationwide.

Pretty Notebooks for the New Year

I'm a paper junkie and the one thing I cannot have enough of is pretty notebooks. My friend Lorraine at Chronicle Books gave me this Botanical Notebook Collection ($12.95 at Chronicle Books) which features a set of three beautiful soft-covered centersewn bound notebooks. I keep one in my purse at all times and jot down all my important notes in it. I love that it's the perfect size -- not too small so I can really write and not too big that it's bulky, heavy and cumbersome. I love that the lined pages are accented with floral metallic gold illustrations.

Treat yourself to some pretty notebooks from Chronicle Books. There are plenty to choose from! The mini journal sizes are great for your smaller bags.

Liberty Floral Notebook Set ($14.95)
3 notebooks, 1 lined, 1 graph, 1 blank

Jill Bliss Wildflowers Mini Eco-Journal Set ($9.95)
4 lined paperback notebooks

Julia Rothman Retro Mini Eco-Journal Set ($9.95)
4 journals: 2 lined and 2 blank

Angela Adams Mini Journal Set ($14.95)
4 journals

Paper Patisserie Mini Journal Set ($14.95)
4 paperback journals

French General Mini Journal Set ($14.95)
4 paperback journals

Enter Whimseybox's Giveaway for a Stylish Jordana Paige Knitting Bag

Attention bag lovers and knitters! My crafty pals at Whimseybox is having a fantastic giveaway for this Jordana Paige Cezanne bag in Stone Gray ($119 value). I've been carrying around my trusty Proenza Schouler PS1 bag for two weeks straight now and I love this style of satchel that works as a crossbody as well as a handheld. There are lots of compartments and pockets inside this bag including a section where you can hold all your knitting needles (or crochet hooks, if you please). This is probably the most stylish knitting bag I have ever seen!

Head on over to Whimseybox to enter the giveaway. The giveaway ends on Thursday, January 24, 2012 at 11:59 Central Time. The giveaway is also only open to U.S. and Canada residents. See the Whimseybox post for more details on the terms and conditions.

Baukjen Sale: Get an Extra 10% Off!

Baukjen (formerly Isabella Oliver 365) is having a big sale on it's fall/winter clothing. As a special for Coquette readers, you'll get an additional 10% off sale items with the code 10EXTRA starting now through Sunday, January 20th at midnight!

I love the slimming color block look of the Maryna Panel Dress (sale price $133.44, your price with 10% offer $120) and the Cool Cotton Dress (sale price $76, your price with 10% offer $68.40) that will take you easily into spring and summer. The dress is available in spicy orange (shown) or off white.

Shop the sale at Baukljen. If you are pregnant, check out my post on Coquette Maman for Isabella Oliver's sale and maternity picks.

Terms and Conditions
The "Extra 10% off" offer is valid until midnight Sunday, January 20, 2013 on Baukjen and Isabella Oliver sale items. When the 10EXTRA code is applied 10% will be deducted from all sale items in the shopping basket. New arrivals, full priced items and other specific items including gift vouchers are excluded from the offer. The offer applies only to personal orders. Orders placed outside of the specified date are not eligible for these offers and the offer cannot be applied or transferred to any previous or subsequent orders placed outside of the period stated. All orders are subject to acceptance under Baukjen and Isabella Oliver's standard terms and conditions. Orders that are considered to be commercial may be excluded from these offers. Items bought during a sale period can only be returned within 7 days of receipt of the parcel. This offer is not valid in conjunction with any other Baukjen and Isabella Oliver offer, internet offer or delivery offer unless specifically stated.

Here are more picks from the Baukjen sale:

Lola Leather Jacket (sale price $303.20, your price with 10% offer $272.88)

Maryna Blazer in Cobalt Blue (sale price $143.20, your price with 10% offer $128.88)

Alexa Shirt (sale price $81.60, your price with 10% offer $73.44)

Forever 21 Coated Tuxedo Stripe Skinnies

I've become obsessed with the tuxedo stripe ever since I saw them last fall on Blake Lively (previous post here). I just found these Coated Tuxedo Stripe Skinnies ($24.80 at Forever 21) that are so cute and affordable, I just had to take the plunge. I got them in the khaki and black. It's a perfect spring transitional piece as I can wear them now with my cozy sweaters and long sleeved tops.

Chaiken Spring 2013 Lookbook Preview

I'm sitting here bundled up in the coziest sweater I have, still coughing from my horrible cold. All I wish for is spring to arrive so I can abandon these thick layers for the soft wispy pieces like the ones I'm enjoying from the

Chaiken's spring 2013 Lookbook. Famous for their perfect fitting pants, I love the array of pieces that can mix and match together to create clean looks that are major statements. Can it be spring already, please?!

Color is huge for spring as well as black and white. Black is a perfect "base" color for all your colors to pop. I'm looking to add some fun yellow to my wardrobe this spring and that yellow blazer is a perfect sunny hue.

I love that from the past few seasons, blue has really become the new black. I also adore blue and black together for a chic ensemble.

Visit Chaiken online at chaikenclothing.com.
Find a store near you that carries Chaiken.

Miss Wu by Jason Wu Exclusively at Nordstrom

Miss Wu by Jason Wu is a special Nordstrom exclusive brand that embodies the stylish feminine gal that Jason Wu's clothing has always embodied. It's a relaxed take on the classics in beautiful colors and patterns. I love the casual feel of Miss Wu and I'm already coveting his striped cashmere sweaters and flouncy skirts. Take a peek inside the Miss Wu Spring Lookbook. Pictured above left: Sofie Stripe Cashmere Sweater ($295) with Stretch Skinny Pants ($245). Pictured above right: Modern Weave Shift Dress ($245) and Modern Weave Crop Jacket ($495).

Here are more of my favorites from Miss Wu by Jason Wu:

Miss Wu Lush Silk Twill Blouse ($225)

Miss Wu Print Chiffon Dress ($425)

Miss Wu Hem Detail Faille Skirt ($245)

Miss Wu Belted Crepe de Chine Shirtdress ($375)

Miss Wu Belted Cotton Trench Coat ($595)

Go Green this Spring with Drops of Jupiter India Green Gold Earrings

In case you haven't heard the buzz, emerald green is the color for 2013 according to Pantone. I believe the best and most inexpensive way to spruce up your wardrobe each season is through accessories. These Drops of Jupiter India Green Gold Earrings ($48 at Layla Grace) is strongly convincing me that I need a splash of green in my life.

Saks Fifth Avenue's Beauty Treat Du Jour Month in January

Each day for the month of January experience Beauty Treat Du Jour at participating Saks Fifth Avenue department stores. From complimentary makeovers to deluxe gifts, you won't want to miss this chance to try out all the great products and learn those beauty and makeup tips for 2013.

I will definitely be stopping by my local Saks in Union Square, San Francisco to enjoy these fun activities!

The special offerings this month that I'm excited about are:

• Complimentary makeovers from Nars. (January 10-12)
• Receive hand massages from La Prairie. (January 10-12)
• Facials and complimentary samples from Sisley. (January 18-19)
• Get a seasonal eye makeup makeover from Chanel. (January 20-23)
• The first ever Saks Sample Bar, offering for your choice of three beauty samples, plus complimentary treats from BluePrintBar, Unreal Candy and Vita Coco. (January 17-19)
• Special gifts-with-purchase from Bond, Cartier, Clarisonic, Estee Lauder, Guerlain, Lancome, Lara Mercier, Le Metier de Beaute, Oscar de la Renta and Trish McEvoy.

Through Saks' Instabeauty competition, customers will also have the chance to win a $100 Saks Gift Card by sharing their favorite beauty photos on Instagram tagged #SaksBeauty. A gift card will be given away every day throughout January.

Click the thumbnail graphics above to view a complete calendar of events by day and brand events for January. Don't miss this chance to renew your skin and refresh your beauty routine!