Coquette

Stylish Bucket Bags Under $500

Bucket bags have been trending for a couple of seasons now and this spring, they are going even stronger. I'm loving the modern take with soft leather and cool adornments like tassels or cool hardware. This Elizabeth And James Cynnie Mini Bucket Bag ($495 at Shopbop) is definitely calling my name. It comes in the most striking clementine red (also in black). I like this version in soft quilted lambskin leather which feels divine. There's lots of options on carrying the bag with the short handle or shoulder/crossbody with the long strap. This is definitely a show stopper for spring!

Here are more of my favorite bucket bags:

Madewell Bucket Bag ($198 at Shopbop)

Rebecca Minkoff Mini Lexi Bucket Bag ($275 at Shopbop)
Also comes in this beautiful pale pink

Halston Heritage Drawstring Bucket Bag ($395 at Shopbop)

Tory Burch Thea Bucket Bag ($495 at Shopbop)

NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils

I had a nice catch up lunch with The Coveted yesterday downtown. After I finished my business errands, I decided to take a visit to Sephora. I was in the neighborhood, so why not?! I just found out that Sephora on Powell Street in San Francisco (right where the Cable Car turns is going to go under renovations. Starting January 27th, Sephora will be on the 2nd floor of the Westfield Mall next to Bebe.

So back to the subject at hand. I picked up a couple REN samples because I loved the day cream so much (review here). I am trying their cleansing balm and their new serum. Both are very affordable. I used it last night and it's been feeling great on my skin. More to report on this when I've used it for more time. I may end up heading to Sephora tomorrow because it's making my skin so soft this winter.

What I did end up purchasing was a new NARS lip pencil. I have a few of the NARS Satin Lip Pencils and LOVE them to death. I decided to try their gloss versions. Let me just say, I had to hold myself back from buying more. I picked up the NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in New Lover ($25 at Sephora). It's a gold infused strawberry pink. I think it gives just the right amount of color and shine on my lips which I can do all in one step. It also feels very moisturizing on my lips on these cold days.

The pencil isn't bulky or heavy and fits perfectly in my small Celine Trio when I am on the go. There are nine colors. Can't decide on what my next color will be. The only pain is that you have to sharpen the pencils periodically but aside from that, I find theses pencils to be such a treat and a great pick me up!

Purchase the NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in New Lover at Sephora.

REN Evercalm Day Cream: Great for Winter + Sensitive Skin

I've been wanting to try REN for ages and the REN Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream ($45 at Sephora) has been on the top of my list. I wanted a new moisturizer that would hydrate my skin better in the day for winter and something that was fragrance-free / no perfumes. I love the concept behind REN and that their products are about clean skin care without added harsh chemicals. No paragons, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals or phthalates-GMOs. I was told at Sephora that this brand is great for pregnant women because of all this. It also helps with redness too.

The cream comes in a pump which I think more skin care brands need to adopt. It keeps your fingers out of the jar and bacteria at bay. The texture is just what I needed where the cold and wind leaves my face dry. The cream has a tiny scent of fresh herbs but it quickly disappears once you have it on your face. It's a great day cream to use in the fall and winter months but I think the texture is a little too creamy for mid-spring and summer. I'm looking forward to trying more products in their line.

Make sure to get a sample made for you at Sephora so you can try it out! I have found that's the best way to try out skin care before I purchase it.

Check out the REN Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream at Sephora.

Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palette

The upcoming Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palette ($58 at Sephora, online only) is like a dreamy sand dune filled with five colors. I love this new concept of having colors mixed together for an eye palette, much like blush these days. The color I am coveting the most is Atmosphere above, but there are also five other yummy palettes to choose from. The texture is creamy and soft, without leaving a powdery mess. I can't wait to try them!

Purchase the Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palette at Sephora online.

New Rebecca Minkoff Boutique in SF Brings New Tech to Fashion

Rebecca Minkoff Boutique
2124 Filmore Street
San Francisco, CA

Shopping goes to a whole new tech level at the new Rebecca Minkoff boutique on Filmore Street in SF. The boutique just opened today and boasts some amazing connected technology that blends seamlessly into the shopping experience. I got to visit the boutique a month ago while it was still under construction to experience the technology that was created by eBay. A large three paneled touch screen greets shoppers upon entering. The screens flip through Minkoff's runway videos and call to action buttons inviting shoppers to "tap" the screen to see looks.

You can browse items and pair them with other pieces to create a look. You'll also be able to see immediately if the item is in stock and have it sent to a dressing room.

Once you enter the dressing room, you'll see the items you bring in appear on the mirror which is actually another large touch screen. Each item of clothing or accessories is equipped with a RIFD on the price tag which is read by sensors when you enter the room. On the mirror, you'll be able to change the lighting from day, night, to club. Need another size? No need to yell out for a sales associate. Just tap the mirror and you'll be able to contact someone to bring you another size or piece of clothing. You can even request a glass of bubbly!

While at the press preview, I got a chance to meet Rebecca Minkoff. She couldn't be any more lovely in person and I'm so happy she chose SF as one of her first boutiques outside of NYC. I'm looking forward to shopping at the new boutique!

Watch the video with Rebecca where she shows you the new technology in her boutiques.

Beauty Favorites from 2014

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! I feel so well-rested and ready to take on this year with lots of beauty, skincare and accessories to try. Instead of posting up my December favorites, I thought it would be fun to collect my favorite beauty products from the past year. These are the items I use on a daily and weekly basis and can't live without. Hope you enjoy!

1. NARS Contour Blush in Olympia ($42 at Sephora)
I love this contour duo for it's fine finish. The powder is finely milled and the ivory/rose shades in Olympia blend perfectly into my skin. This set is perfect for daily use. I like that the color is just matte without any shimmer or sparkles in the highlight. Also available in Paloma (pink/deep rose) and Gienah (honey/amber). (Read more from my post in April.)

2. Dior Creme de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm ($27 at Sephora)
There's just something so wonderful about this lip balm. It keeps your lips hydrated without getting that overly oiled feeling on your lips and I love the soft rose scent. I use it every night and this small container lasts. Mine has been going strong since last May and from the looks of it, I probably have two more months of use. It is worth the price! (Read more from my post in May.)

3. Radical Skincare Advanced Peptide Antioxidant Serum (0.5 oz) ($95 at Sephora)
This year I was introduced to Radical Skincare and it's made a huge difference in my skin. It's one of the best anti-aging skincare products out there with 13 ingredients to repair your skin. I have sensitive skin and have had no issues at all with it. I also love how it makes my skin feel more hydrated and "plumped". (Read more from my post in September.)

4. Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 25 1N1 Ivory Nude One Size ($45 at Nordstrom) and Women's Estee Lauder Sculpting Foundation Brush ($45 at Nordstrom)
Ever since I was introduced to this foundation at the Estee Lauder foundation, I go to it again and again. The coverage is so light and I like that it contains both SPF and skincare properties with their Perfectionist serum. I also love the new foundation brush which helps me really get a light coverage all over my face. Tinted moisturizers don't do much coverage at all for me. This foundation is the best of both worlds. It's light coverage makes it feel like I have no makeup on and people keep telling me how great my skin looks. It's a win-win. (Read more from my post in October.)

5. Jo Malone 'Wood Sage & Sea Salt' Cologne 3.4 oz ($60 1 oz, $120 3.4 oz at Nordstrom)
This fresh scent is just one that I go to on a daily basis. It's light and clean smelling. Great for those who like soft fragrances that don't overpower you. (Read more in my post from September.)

6. Women's Shiseido 'The Makeup' Eyelash Curler ($19 at Nordstrom)
My lashes forever changed that one day in May when I was at the Chanel counter in Bloomingdales. These curlers are an updated version of what the cult favorite Shu Uerma lash curlers were. (Read more in my post from May which includes the technique I learned on how to curl your lashes.)

7. Women's Shiseido Facial Cotton ($9.50 at Nordstrom)
I can never go back to regular cotton pads again! Shiseido Facial Cotton is like Egyptian cotton sheets for your face. It is extra sooooft! Taking off makeup, especially eye makeup will be easy and you'll feel good to know you are being as gentle as you can with the delicate skin on your face. Each pack comes with 165 pads which lasts for months and months. I just bought a new pack in late November after buying my first one in June. (Read more in my post from June.)

8. Burberry Beauty Lip Definer Pencil No. 05 Brick Red One Size ($30 at Nordstrom)

I'm a new convert to lining my lips. Not only does it makes my lipstick color last longer, I like experimenting how pairing one lip liner shade with another lip color and gloss will change the final color in the end. I love the Burberry lip liner because it lines easily on my lips so I'm not dragging my skin too much. It comes with it's own pretty sharpener too. (Read more in my Burberry Beauty post from November.)