Coquette

Book Giveaway + Q&A: IT by Alexa Chung

Style icon, model and muse Alexa Chung has debuted her first book titled simply, IT ($22.37 on Amazon, published by Penguin Books). The book is pure design and gives you a intimate glimpse into Alexa's thoughts and world through her stream of consciousness, simple photography and whimsical doodles. The beautifully designed book reminded me of the many british design books I would pick up in the 90's – filled with little nuggets of inspiration. It's not a look book, rather it's a mix of style guide, memoir and scrapbook. It's minimalistic cover will look so stylish on your coffee table next to some pink peonies and would make the perfect holiday gift for any fashion-lover.

In the book, Alexa recounts her fashion inspirations (and fashion fails) through family members like her Grandpa Kwan who always maintained his own sense of whimsical style right down to his Nike trainers. She was also inspired by pop culture such as Wednesday Adams the little girl charter from the 's TV show "The Addams Family who was the first gal she saw wear a Peter Pan collar, now one of Alexa's trademark looks. I especially love to see the movies she was inspired by like Winona Ryder in "Heathers" and Charlotte Rampling in "The Night Porter".

Giveaway
Coquette readers can win a copy of Alexa Chung's IT. You must be a resident of the U.S. or Canada. Simply leave a comment to this post or on my Instagram. All entries must be received by Tuesday, November 5th at 5pm PST. Good luck!

Read the Q&A with Alexa Chung, after the jump!

Clarins Face Treatment Oils: Prep Your Skin for Colder Weather

(Photo: Instagram/coquettenatalie)

The weather is a-changing in the Bay Area and it went from 70 degrees Indian Summer to a 60 degree windy fall weather within the last week. My skin is of course adjusting to the weather and is getting drier (boo!). To the rescue is Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil and the Clarins Santal Face Treatment Oil (both $50 at clarinsusa.com). I like using the Santal in my morning routine because it works on rosacea and redness which I am prone to in cold weather. With anti-aging properties, Blue Orchid is great for my evening routine because I love the soothing aromatherapy while I drift off to sleep. It's easy to apply any of the face treatment oils: just add a couple of drops to your regular moisturizer and apply as usual to your face.

After two weeks of using the oils, I no longer see the dry flakes of skin on my forehead which means that my makeup sets into my skin so much better. Who knew a little oil on your face could so so much good?!

In contrast, if your skin is more on the oily side, there still is a face treatment for you. Try Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil to help tighten your pores and seal in moisture to prevent fine lines.

Clarins Friends and Family: Buy 1 item, get 15% off; Buy 2 items, get 20% off; Buy 3 items, get 25% off - code CLARINSFF13 (valid 10/30-11/13)

Disclaimer: Products were provided by Clarins for this review.

NARS Eye Paint: Instant + Easy Eyeliner

Eyeliner is making a comeback in the beauty world as declared by NY Times Magazine. To me, it's true. Only a month ago, I took a visit to a department store beauty counter and had the beauty associate do my eyes in a sleekly-lined cat eye. The small brush she used gave it a wonderful thin precision. The look worked perfectly for day and it was seemingly easy enough to do, right? Alas, when I came home to try it on my own I found myself frustrated with having to wet the brush and dip it in the shadowy powder compact again and again to get some semblance of what turned out to look like a dark gray line. The effort to me was not worth it.

In steps in my savior, the new NARS eye paint ($25) where I can draw a sleek, and dare I say perfect line in mere seconds. I have it in Black Valley (pictured above top left) and the color is so rich and pigmented, I don't need to redraw the line over and over to actually see black. Go thin or go bold easily depending on the look you want. I have never used a gel liner before and now I simply can't stop! Other colors I am now coveting are Iskander - a shimmery gold (pictured top right), Mozambique - an olive green (pictured bottom left) and Ubangi - a black with a blue shimmer that will look amazing at a holiday party!

Try it with the NARS Angled Eye Liner Brush ($25) for precise application along your lash line.

And if you are on the go and need something to keep in your handbag or slim clutch, the Eyeliner Stylo ($27) is a slim pen that gives you that thin precise line you crave. Comes in 4 colors - Carpates (black), Nuku Hiva (brown), Atlantic (blue), and Koala (gray).

Disclaimer: Review products were provided by NARS Cosmetics.

Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede

The new floral fragrance Peony & Blush Suede from Jo Malone London will transform you into a lush English garden. The clean and sweet smelling cologne is a mix of jasmine, rose and gillyflower. I imagine Lady Mary wearing this as she dresses up for her evening dinners. I have it in the 100ml bottle and also the body crème. The body crème feels luxurious all over your body and the scent is a great morning pick me up out of the shower. I have been wearing this fragrance non-stop for the last couple of weeks since I got it!

Shop the Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede Collection:
Get free shipping at jomalone.com as well as free fragrance samples of your choice at checkout.

Peony & Blush Suede Cologne
30 ml ($60)
100 ml ($115)

Peony & Blush Suede Body Crème ($75)

Peony & Blush Suede Body & Hand Wash ($50)

Peony & Blush Suede Home Candle ($65)

Disclaimer: Products were provided for review by Jo Malone London.

Feeling Blue

I'm not sure I can handle wearing my black long coat this winter when the color blue keeps calling me. Do I go cute with a short cropped alice + olivia Leah Cocoon Coat ($484 at Shopbop) or go bold in cobalt blue with the Nicholas Felted Wool Coat ($695 at Shopbop). I'm feeling torn over all the beautiful hues of blue. Looks like this may be a very colorful winter after all.

Here are more blue coats from Shopbop:

camilla and marc Silentium Wool Coat ($950)

Zimmermann Precocious Two Piece Coat ($995)

Tibi Oversize Drop Shoulder Coat with Removable Lining ($835)

Club Monaco Brittney Coat ($349)

Phillip Lim for Target Mini Satchel Giveaway Winners!

First off, thank you to everyone who entered my Phillip Lim for Target Mini Satchel giveaway. I read all the comments, especially for those of you who woke up early to stand in line and couldn't snag a bag. I wish I could give everyone a bag, but I only have two to give out. So without further ado, the two winners are Betz from N. Potomac, MD (black) and Angie from San Diego, CA (gold) for each winning their own mini satchel!

More giveaways to come on Coquette! xo

Clarins Extra-Firming Eye and Neck

Clarins has a few new products out in their Extra-Firming line that I have been using for the past month and that I can't stop raving about. I am not one to use a product separately on my neck but let me tell you the Clarins Extra-Firming Neck Anti-Wrinkle Rejuvenating Cream ($85) is beyond amazing. Your neck is one of those delicate skin areas that can easily age you if you don't take care of it. I have noticed that after using this cream, the skin on my neck is smoother and softer. It's pretty amazing. Besides, since you are only using this product on your neck, a little goes a long way so a jar will last you a long time.

For the eyes, I love the how the Clarins Extra-Firming Eye Lift Perfecting Serum($60) and Clarins Extra-Firming Eye Wrinkle Smoothing Cream ($60) work together for day and night. Use the serum in the day to reduce puffiness and eye bags and the eye cream at night to firm and reduce the look of fine lines and tired eyes. Remember to only place eye cream on the eye bone under your eyes and not the delicate skin directly under your eyes. Tap gently with your fingers on the eye bone to help drain and further reduce puffiness.

If you are age 40 and over like me, I can't recommend these products enough to be incorporated into your daily routine. It doesn't take much time and you will start to see results within a week or two. In fact, the Extra-Firming line is what I have been using for the last two years. Their Extra-Firming Day Wrinkle Lifting Cream All Skin Types ($82) is one of my favorites. It moisturizes my dry skin perfectly without being heavy. I'm about to run out so I'm going to buy a new jar this week.

Now through October 9th, get free shipping with the code PERFECTION. Shop Clarinsusa.com where you also get 3 free samples with every order.

Disclaimer: Review products were provided by Clarins for this post.

ECCO Sculptured 75 Style: Vote For Your Fav and Get Sent to NYFW!

ECCO has a cool new contest happening now. Their Smile Your Way to Style Sweepstakes is giving away pairs of the new ECCO Sculptured 75 collection and one grand prize – an all-expenses paid trip to New York Fashion Week in February 2014!

The sweepstakes ends on October 25th. Each week, vote for your favorite Sculptured 75 styles and at the end of each week, a free pair will be rewarded. It's so easy to vote. Just click for the pair you like in the Facebook page. The NY Fashion Week winner will be revealed a week after the sweepstakes has ended. Good luck!

Enter the sweepstakes on the ECCO Facebook page.

Here are some of my favorites from the ECCO Sculptured 75 Collection:

ECCO Sculptured 75 Ankle Boot ($200)

ECCO Sculptured 75 Shoetie ($170)

ECCO Sculptured 75 Baroque ($150)

ECCO Sculptured 75 Pump ($140)

Related Coquette Post:

ECCO Boots for Fall: Style Yourself in High-Heeled Comfort

Benefit's Gimme Brow: A Easier Way to Fill Your Brows

I feel a little blessed I have eyebrows as an Asian gal but I have noticed my brows needing a little filler here and there. I'm not adept to filling in with a pencil at all and leave that to the makeup artist. What I can do is use a brush which is where Benefit's Gimme Brow ($22) has been great. I love how easy it is to use and you can control it well with the precision tip. The fiber gel formula is water resistant and long wearing.

To apply, use short pressing motions, stroke brush tip along brow to define shape. Comb through to blend & build brows. For the most natural look, start at the inner edge of your brow and move outward. Repeat to add more volume.

Preview the New Coach Borough Bags

(Photos: Courtesy of Coach)

The new Coach Borough Bags bring to mind a Parisian style and refinement to the likes of Saint Laurent or Celine. This new collection will launch on October 16th at Coach stores and online at Coach.com. Models Karlie Kloss and Liu Wen, featured in the Coach fall ad campaign, have also been wearing their bags on their off duty days.

The Marobox Borough bags feature rich smooth polished leather and subtle logo placement in a classic top handle box bag with long strap. Since using my Coach Madison Sadie these past months, I love the multiple ways you can carry a bag either with the handles or over the shoulder. With the Borough bags, you can also carry them crossbody. The bags also come in a pebbled leather version if you like texture to your bags and want something more worry-free in terms of scratches. This new Coach collection will surely be a classic. I'm majorly impressed!

Update 11/5/13: The Coach Borough bags have launched and I have updated this post with direct links.
See my new post on the Borough bags.

Marobox Borough Bags (3 sizes: Large $898, Medium $598, Small $398)
Colors: Black, Teal (only in Medium)

Pebbled Borough Bag (3 sizes: Large $798, Medium $548, Small $378)
Colors: Oxblood, Alpine Moss, and Black

Leopard Marobox Borough with hair calf ($1,198)

Alpine Moss Borough bag as seen on @coachblkrwomen.

(Photo: UK Dailymail)

(Photo: Zimbio)

Sarah Jessica Parker walking her daughters to school with a Borough bag in Alpine Moss.

(Photo: Zimbio)

Lea Michele with a large pebbled borough.

(Photos: Zimbio)

Jessica Alba with a Coach Borough bag in pebbled leather/Oxblood.

Related:
Coach New York Stories: Q&A with Models Karlie Kloss and Liu Wen