Coquette

New Crafting Book: How to Sew Clothes

How to Sew Clothes: Learn with Intuitive, Super-hackable Patterns

By Amelia Greenhall and Amy Bornman

208 pages, Hardcover 

Published by: Abrams

$31.50 on Amazon (affiliate link)

 

Just out today is a new sewing book, How To Sew Clothes by Amelia Greenhall and Amy Bornman. As you may know from my years of blogging, I'm a big crafter and specifically a sewer. I started to get back into sewing right before the pandemic hit and during the pandemic was able to teach my then middle schooler how to sew and make her own skirt without a pattern. This is where Greenhall and Borman's book comes in with their genius! If you have always wanted to sew your own wardrobe and accessories, they give you all the tools and basic patterns to get you on your way! 

The book starts with a basic check list of supplies you need and your sewing workspace. Then you will learn about the different kinds of seams and fabrics. You'll learn how to get your own measurments and how to follow a pattern. Next is the fun part, figuring out what you want to sew! Included in the book are patterns to create basic shapes that you can build on and embellish. For instance, there's a classic box top shape that you can add to create a long sleeve box top or rufffle box top or ruffle dress. I love these variations because one you get the simplicity of making a certain shape, it's easy to be able to modify it! You will also learn how to make a cardigan coat or jacket, quilt coat and a variety of bags from simple pouches, zip pouches to book bag and a party purse. The full patterns are included in a large envelope in the back of the book. I love the step-by-step directions and illustrated diagrams that show you how to sew specific things such as hems and where to do seam allowances.

How to Sew Clothes is a great introduction to sewing or perfect for advanced sewers! I'm excited to dive into the book to sew more as this spring and summer.

 

 

Buy the book How to Sew Clothes on Amazon.

 

 

Review book provided by Abrams

New Jane Austen's Persuasion with Characters' Letters + Papers

Persuasion: The Complete Novel, Featuring the Characters' Letters and Papers, Written and Folded by Hand

by Jane Austen and  Barbara Heller

180 pages, Hardcover

Published by: Chronicle Books

$40 on Amazon

Are you ready for a beautiful book to curl up with this Fall? A new version of Jane Austen's Persuasion is here complete with beautiful fold out letters and papers that are inserted into glassine envelopes within the novel. Author Barbara Heller does it again as she previously worked on the classic novels Little Women and Pride and Prejudice which I covered last year in Coquette Maman.

This is my second favorite Austen book, after Pride and Prejudice, of course. It's a story about Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth and their second chance for love.  As you read the novel, letters, newspaper clippings, maps and other beautifully vintage-style ephemera sit like little treasures inside envelopes between the pages. All these extra content created by Barbara Heller was intensely researched giving us readers more depth to the characters and the historical Regency Era in England. I love how this addition just immerses you into the entire world of Anne Elliot and you are transported away into that time.

This is a great collectors piece for any book lover and Austen fan. It also makes a great gift for the holidays!

And if you want to catch the movie, I recommend the 2007 BBC version with Sally Hawkins as Anne over watching the recent Netflix version with Dakota Johnson.

 

Pick up the book Jane Austen's Persuasion at Amazon.

 

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Review book provided by Chronicle Books

Audiobooks with Libro.FM for the Holidays + Top 10 Audiobooks for 2019

 

Have you gotten yourself addicted to audiobooks yet? I did a post last year on Coquette Maman about Libro.FM and how you can enjoy audiobooks, while also supporting local bookstores. As a mom, I'm driving around a lot or cooking in the kitchen so listening to a book while I go about my errands or household activities keeps my brain going. Pictured above are the Top 10 Audiobooks for 2019 on Libro.fm based on sales through Independent bookstores. You can listen to an excerpt of each of the books. 

I'm currently reading a lot of more self-help books and one in particular about girls and how they handle stress. I'm trying to grow in positivity in general for my wellness as well as finding books to help me figure out creativity too. I've found a list of a few that I now have on my "shelf". Just sign up on Libro.fm and create an account. Your first month is free. You can become a member for $14.99 a month which includes 1 audiobook, then it's 30% off audiobook list price. What's cool is since the book is yours, you can even let your friends "borrow" your audiobook. I think this is such a great holiday gift for the book lover!

 

Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls by Lisa Damour, PhD

I am currently reading this book and if you have a young girl, tween or teen – this is a must read!

 

The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor

 

The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Valerie Young

 

Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo

 

The Positive Shift by Catherine A. Sanderson, PhD

 

Grace Not Perfection by Emily Ley

 

Take some time to browse Libro.fm as they have over 125,00 book titles. Don't forget you get to choose which independent bookstores in your local area you want to support when you purchase!

Avery + Amy Tangerine Take Back to School Supplies Up a Notch

Avery has teamed up with one of my favorite artist/designer Amy Tangerine for a line of colorful binders, folders and dividers is a stationery horders dream! It's perfect for students going back to school or for those of you like me, who love to organize and just basically collect supplies. This Avery + Amy Tangerine Designer Collection 3-Hole Punched Set of Six Folders ($9.99 on Amazon) fits 100 sheets and will easily fit into a binders. Personally, I'm in constant need of folders to organize projects, bills, etc so these are a no brainer for me to snatch up. I love Amy's lettering style and her rainbow of colors can put anyone in a good mood. I literally just came across her You Tube Channel earlier this May and love watching her creative videos, especially when she's traveling to planner conferences or scrapbooking in her Hobonichi.

If you haven't had a chance yet, pick up the updated version of Amy Tangerine's book, Craft a Life You Life: Infusing Creativity, Fun & Intention into Your Everyday ($11.55).

Use the code 15AVERYNAMY to get 15% off on Amazon!

Here are more goodies from the Avery + Amy Tangerine Collab:

Avery + Amy Tangerine Designer Collection Binder, 1” Round Rings, 175-Sheet Capacity ($7.99 for one or $15.98 for 2 binder set)
There are four different designs and some are already sold out!

Avery + Amy Tangerine Designer Collection Big Tab Dividers, Rainbow Vibes, 5-Tab Set ($4.49 on Amazon)

Avery + Amy Tangerine Designer Collection Big Tab Dividers, Black and White Ink-Spiration, 5-Tab Set ($4.49 on Amazon)

April Favorites: YSL, Clarins, Marin Bee + More

Finally it feels like spring for me. I spent last week camping with my daughter and seventy-five third graders in the mountains of Santa Cruz. It was beautiful and meditative to be among redwood trees that were a thousand years old. (Instagram pics: here and here) I didn't wear any makeup that week and kept up with a limited skincare routine. In the day, I wore my moisturizer, SPF 50 and Marin Bee's Lip Repair. I loved how it hydrated my lips and gave me a glossy sheen with a teeny tiny hint of color, thanks to the pomegranate. More on that lip balm below. For sunscreen, While camping, I was using the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Facial Sunscreen with SPF 50. My dermatologist told me that the only sunscreen that works is when it has both Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. I'm not 100% sure about it yet -- I feel like it drys out my face (and my daughter's). I'll keep you posted on that one. For now, I am loving the tinted one by KARYNG, that's making my skin look so good.

Enjoy my April favorites!

1. Yves Saint Laurent Vinyl Cream Lip Stain 412 Rose Mix ($36 at Sephora)
I love having a colorful lip color on to boost my mood. I am enjoying this YSL lip product because the color lasts forever. The diamond-head applicator really helps you apply the color on perfectly. My lips don't feel dry at all and I love the soft scent. The color I have 412 Rose Mix is a perfect rose pink color. I love that it stays on for hours and I never have to worry about reapplying my lipstick unless I just finished eating. (full review)

2. KARYNG Complete Broad Spectrum SPF50 ($75 at karyng.com)
This wonderful tinted sunscreen contains both Titanium Dioxide an Zinc Oxide. There's no "sunscreen" smell and the tinted color I have (light/medium) works perfectly with my skin tone. I wish I had brought this on my camping trip but we needed to go light so I just shared sunscreen with my daughter. I like how it also feels matte on my face and doesn't go on all shiny. Really, just about the perfect sunscreen for me right now because it gives me a nice wash of color and doesn't dry out my skin at all! I love that there are no chemicals and made with natural ingredients too. (full review)

3. Clarins Ombre Iridescente Eyeshadow ($25 at Clarins USA)
I think you guys know by now how much love I have for these little Clarins eyeshadow pots. I have been using the 09 Silver Rose color the most. Just doing a dab with my fingers over my eyelids to brighten them up. I then line them with a liquid brown liner. It's a very simple look, perfect for everyday. (full review)

4. Marin Bee Lip Repair ($26 at Marin Bee)
I said a lot about this great lip balm in the intro but I wanted to add that the Marin Bee products are natural and made from honey. The California Wildflower Honey gives a natural barrier from environmental toxins and draws moisture from the air to hydrate your skin. So now that you know it's natural, let me tell you how good your lips will look! I love the glossy shine and the tiny hint of color. (full review)

5. Impressions of Paris: An Artist's Sketchbook by Cat Seto ($12.68 on Amazon)
Paris is one of my favorite cities in the world and fellow San Franciscan Cat Seto captures it so beautifully with her pretty illustrations. The book is also like a guide to Paris, showcasing some of Seto's favorite places to go. This book is chock full of inspiration, that I like to get lost in it on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

March Favorites: Dior Skincare, Clinique Makeup + Big Little Lies

Hi Lovelies,

I have lot of favorites to share with you this month since I'm merging both my February and March favorites together here. For skincare, I have been absolutely loving using both the Dior One Essential and the Dirt Capture Totale Dream Skin. I have been using them everyday for two months and my skin has been looking radiant.

I'm now looking forward to April as spring is here and the weather has been getting nicer around SF!

Enjoy this month's favorites!

1. Cocokind Organic Rosewater Facial Toner ($16.99 at Cocokind)
This is one of my absolute favorites to use everyday because it's so light and refreshing to the skin. It now comes in a spray glass bottle that you can easily spritz onto your face after you cleanse it.

2. Pony Effect Conceptual Eyes Quad #BeRomantic ($29 at Memebox)
This eye quad from Korean Beauty brand Pony Effect makes me so excite for spring weather. I love the rose gold tones here and I usually mix the top two colors to create a soft wash on my lids. Then I line it with a dark brown liquid liner. The look is that fresh, modern peachy, gold warm look on my lids that I love right now. The colors all blend really well together. This makes me want to get another Pony Effect Eye Quad because the shadows are really finely milled and the price is just right at $29!

3. Clinique Crayola Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm ($17 at Sephora, limited edition)

I've been addicted to carrying around my adorable Crayola Chubby Stick in Wild Strawberry. The color is just perfect on my lips to give a soft wash of tinted color. Grab these in as many colors as you can or pick up the mini box set of four colors for $25.

4. Clarins Fix' Make-Up ($29 at Clarins USA)
I don't like the idea of using a setting spray filled with chemicals to just keep my makeup fresh. Instead, I am loving what Clarins has come out with. This is a new formula that not only helps to set your makeup, the spray is enriched with grapefruit extract, aloe vera and allantoin. The organic rose water scent is so refreshing. I also love that it has Clarins' anti-pollution complex so it protects your skin from all the pollution in the city. I'll do a full review of this soon but with spring and summer coming up, this is going to be one of my must-haves!

5.Dior Capture Totale One Essential ($125 at Sephora, 1.7 oz)
I remember getting a facial at the Dior Institute in Paris around four years ago and the facialist I had recommended I use this serum. For some reason, I didn't want to give into the hype. Years later, I don't know what I would do without this serum! I have been using it twice a day, everyday for two months now and it's really made my skin great. When I recently had a facial at the Dior boutique in Santa Clara, Sarah my facials told me it prevents blackheads. It's true! I haven't had one since I started using it and the pores around my nose are really clean. I have the 1.7 oz bottle and it definitely lasts. (I use two pumps each time I am using it.)

6. Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin Advanced ($150 at Sephora, 1.7 oz)
This is such a wonderful primer to use before your foundation or for something to wear on your skin when you don't want to wear any foundation. I find it really evens your skin tone and gives your face a smooth, blur-like effect. I honestly wear this everyday when I am not wearing full makeup and it just makes my skin look wonderful. What I love about getting the larger 1.7 oz size is that you can just buy the refill bottle when you are finished for only $128.

7. Clinique Cream Shaper for Eyes in 103 Egyptian ($17 at Clinique)
This is one of my favorite eyeliners. I wrote about it two years ago (review here) but I just wanted to bring it up again for any of you new readers. I read about this in a Refinery 29 post about American beauty products that Korean girls go crazy for. It is true - the eyeliner is just such a flattering color brownish-dark green color with gold flecks that bring out your eyes.

8. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty ($9.93 on Amazon)
If you are loving the HBO TV series staring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, you have to pick up this book to read the original story. Pick it up, even if you are not watching the show. I read the book first and they are somewhat different. The TV show takes way more liberties in changing some of the story. The TV show takes place in Monterey, CA while the book takes place in a coastal town near Sydney, Australia. I love that the book gives you insight into all the main characters so you really know why they are feeling *what* they are feeling, plus all the gossip and backstories. This is such a fun book to read I devoured it within a week. If you're a mom, you'll love this book even more! I also really recommend watching the HBO TV series. It's soooo good!

October Favorites: Tatcha, YSL Beauty + More

Happy November! Aren't you ready for this whole election to be over? I needed a huge mental break from the news and CNN so I picked up the new book, Bridget Jones's Baby: The Diaries and it didn't disappoint. It was such an easy, fun read that got me to have a few laughs through all this election headache. I haven't seen the movie yet but I loved the book for it's continued rivalry between Daniel Cleaver and Mark Darcy. I know Patrick Dempsey plays an American in the movie so I'm not sure how they modified Fielding's the story for the movie. Definitely go check that book out and see some of my favorite beauty products from last month.

Enjoy!

1. Tatcha Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm ($36 at Tatcha)
I've been using this lip balm since July and I love wearing it over a lip pencil for a natural lip look. The lip balm has a great shine to it, better than any clear lip gloss. It's not even half way done yet so I'm definitely getting my money's worth. I mixed up the gold paper so there's little gold flecks in my balm for shine. Love it! (Coquette review)

2. YSL Souffle D'Eclat Finishing Veil ($60 at Nordstrom)
This is probably hands down the best loose powder I have ever used. Most days I wear this over my moisturizer and sunscreen and it does the job of keeping down shine and evening out my complexion. I like how light it feels on my skin. There are micro Mother of Pearl particles that help give your skin a beautiful finish. I also adore the gold covered container and it looks nice on my bathroom counter with all my perfumes. It's a nice luxury treat! (Coquette review)

3. Drybar The Chaser Shine Cream ($29 at Sephora)
This cream is a miracle! I purchased a couple of weeks ago the Drybar hair curler and use this after I curl my hair to give my hair shine. It's working really well and makes my hair look polished and healthy (when it's really not). I'm trying to grow out all the color of my hair but don't want to cut my hair short so it will be a while before all the frizzy colored parts grow out. This has really helped make my hair look sleeker. It's also light and doesn't weigh my hair down. (Coquette review)

4.AmorePacific Future Response Age Defense Serum ($160 at Sephora) and AmorePacific Future Response Age Defense Creme ($195 at Sephora)
I'm truly loving the Amore Pacific skincare line. The products are really hydrating even though they feel feather-light on your skin. I use the serum and the moisturizer twice a day now and I can't imagine my life without them. There's the power of green tea and pine mushrooms to protect skin -- some amazing natural botanicals for anti-aging skincare. I have sensitive skin and haven't had any problems with this line. (Coquette review)

5. Bridget Jones's Baby: The Diaries ($16.06 on Amazon)
I stopped reading for a couple of weeks in October because I was so caught up with all the election drama. To stop myself from watching way too much cable TV news, I needed something light and humorous to cleanse the palette. I picked up this book at the library and just devoured it. Fielding's Bridget Jones is just a familiar character that's as cozy as a soft warm blanket and a glass of Pinot Grigio. I loved seeing Bridget in her late 30's being caught again between Darcy and Daniel -- this time over her own pregnancy. It was a nice break from reality with lots of laugh out loud humor. If only one thing, this book was way too short!

Pretty Paper + New Books

I'm a paper addict and I love pretty notebooks. I love the feeling I get when I jot down my ideas or to do lists in a notebook. I love these two above because they are just the right size (can fit in my tote and is soft covered) and they are just gorgeous. The Feminist Journal ($9.95) is such an inspiring journal featuring the word "Feminist" in rose gold type on a light pink cover. I love the quotes on the inside from feminists past and present. I also love the Rose Gold Notebook Set ($12.95) featuring two notebooks in navy blue and mint green featuring a beautiful floral design in rose gold. Both of these are from Chronicle Books, a publisher that's based in San Francisco that I love so much for their wit, humor and most of all beautiful design sense. You can subscribe to the Chronicle Books site and get 20% off your order. (Go down to the bottom of the homepage and you'll see it on the right.) There's also Free Shipping in the U.S. on orders over $25.

The interior of the Feminist Journal features lined as well as blank pages. You can see some of the sample quotes above from poet Maya Angelou and comedian Amy Schumer.

These are the two beautiful notebooks you get in the Rose Gold Notebook Set. Seriously dying over that shade of mint green!

Here are more pretty paper goods & books from Chronicle Books. Some of these are new fall releases!

50 Ways to Wear Denim by Lauren Friedman ($14.95)

New for fall is this fantastic book! Mix up your denim and learn how to wear different kinds of jeans from flared, straight-legged, skinny and more! Just like Freidman's previous book, 50 Ways to Wear a Scarf, this is the ultimate fashion reference guide. Jeans are essential to me -- I wear them almost everyday and this book helps you mix up your denim looks to try new fashion forward techniques.

Eat Pretty, Live Well By Jolene Hart ($16.95)

This is more than just a food diary, it's a companion to the book, Eat Pretty: Nutrition for Beauty, Inside and Out which is an amazing book that goes through how nutrition can help get you better skin and better overall health. This notebook features fill-in trackers and checklists, Q&As, goal-setting guidance, prompts for self-reflection, and repeating spreads for monitoring 40 days of living and eating well.

Creative Writing: A Journal with Art to Kickstart Your Writing By Eva Glettner ($16.95)

Writing can be fun with this inspirational journal filled with illustrated writing prompts. The illustrations by indie artists are fresh the writing prompts themselves are humorous and inventive. I have found that they really inspire me to get pen to paper and make up a corresponding story. It's the perfect size to have enough room to write, yet also not feel overwhelmed by empty white pages. If you need to jump start some creativity, this is the book for you.

Helen Frankenthaler Notes ($14.95)

I always have a box of notecards on hand to write a quick hello or thank you note to a friend. This box set of abstract expressionist paintings by Helen Frankenthaler from the 1960's are just perfect. I like that they are blank inside so I can use the cards however I want.

Pantone Garlands: 80 Alphabet and Decorative Tiles ($16.95)

The next time you are hosting a little party, create your own garland with these colorful and large alphabet Pantone chips. The box contains 72 alphabet tiles, 8 decorative tiles (blank colorful tiles to use as spacers) and 5 yards of grosgrain ribbon.

Christian Lacroix Ombre Paseo Neon Pink Sticky Note ($13)

These are the most fashionable sticky notes ever! This Christian Lacroix set of sticky notes comes in four color pads: blue, pink, yellow and gray. Each pad has 50 sheets of sticky notes.

For more pretty paper and books, visit Chronicle Books.

Review products provided by Chronicle Books

September Favorites: Function of Beauty, YSL Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury + More

October is already here! I hope you like this month's favorites. If I had to choose just one beauty item to get from this list here it would be the limited edition YSL Limited Edition Summer Addition Couture Palette. The formula for these shadows are so much softer than the regular YSL eye shadow palettes and this color combination is only exclusive to Bloomingdales. Once these sell out, they are gone! Hope you enjoy some of my favorite items from September!

1. Function of Beauty Shampoo and Conditioner (8 oz bottle set start at $26)

I'm almost out of my Function of Beauty shampoo and conditioner and am about to reorder a new set. This personalized shampoo and conditioner helps you create your own haircare system for your needs. There are over 450 million different possible variations of their shampoos and conditioners and all of their products are free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, GMOs and triclosan. Since I reviewed it earlier this summer, they have now added more colors and fragrances to the mix. You can also choose how light or strong you want the fragrance to be. (Coquette review)

2. Champagne Splits Shimmering Skin Perfector® Mineral Blush Duo ($38 at Sephora)

I've been pretty loyal lately to my NARS blushes but this one I have been wearing daily since I bought it. It's got a bit more color to it than NARS Orgasm but it still is a coral tone that works with a lot of skintones out there. I don't use the highlight color each day though. I like it but find it too shimmery for everyday wear and use it for when I'm going out or when I really want to look more made up. (Coquette review)

3. YSL Limited Edition Summer Addition Couture Palette ($60 at Bloomingdales, limited edition)

This has been my go-to eye palette ever since I bought it. I actually bought a Naked 3 palette over the summer and have barely used it now thanks to this one. All of these five colors are so flattering and subtle. For day to day, I tend to use just two colors and for a night out have used all of them which is so rare for me to use all the shadows in a palette at once. The powders are so soft that they blend amazingly well. These colors really enhance your eyes and don't overpower your face. It's been giving my Asian eyes some good dimension that's soft and subtle. The center color is this soft purplish brown that I feel like is the key to the entire palette! This is limited edition so hurry before it's gone! (Coquette review)

4. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre Luxe Color-Lasting Lip Lacquer in High Society ($22 at Bloomingdales)

I'm so glad that Charlotte Tilbury is now available in Bloomingdales in the U.S. because I'm now able to try out her beauty products before I buy. This lip gloss is everything because it's in the perfect neutral shade. I can wear it alone when I'm going for a light makeup look or layer it on top of lipstick when I want more color and shine. It's not sticky at all. You know how I don't like sticky gloss. I also like that the packaging is compact and not heavy. It fits in even the tiniest of mini bags! (Coquette review)

5. My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout ($10.21 on Amazon)

This is the story about Lucy Barton and her lifelong quest for love and it's meaning through her family and relationships. The story starts with Lucy in her 50-60's, thinking back to the past when she was in a New York City hospital battling an illness and how her mom came to visit her for five days during the 1980's. It's within those days that we flip back to the past or jump to the present and hear how Lucy is feeling about everything from growing up poor to her love for her two daughters. This book is a short book and you'll find yourself blazing through it because it's so easy to read. I devoured it quickly in a matter of days and for someone who has a child, that is no small feat. I find myself re-reading lines beacause they carry so much weight to them -- I savor the words and try to uncover the layers of meaning below the surface. If I could define this book it two words it would be: Subtle beauty. You'll definitely enjoy reading this book. I just borrowed Strouts Pulitzer Prize winning book, Olive Kitteridge.

June Favorites: Dior, SK-II, La Mer + More

Hi Lovlies!

I hope everyone has been having a great week. I had a busy month of June with Chloe finishing 2nd grade and the onset of summer fun. I had a really good skincare month and have been really loving the addition of La Mer's iconic moisturizing cream and SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence into my daily skincare routine.

1. Clarins 3-Dot Liner Eyeliner ($27 at Nordstrom)

I forget just how good this eyeliner is until I find myself recently going back to it. The three-prong applicator really helps you fill in the space between your lashes and I find it much easier to apply by "connecting the dots" than other liquid eyeliner brush pens. I have it in brown and black but it looks like only black is available. You can line it really thin or thick, depending on how you like it.

2. Dior Addict Lip Maximizer High Volume Lip Plumper ($33 at Sephora)

I'm kinda obsessed with this new Dior Addict gloss that helps plump up your lips with collagen. I have it in Beige Sunrise but there is also a sheer pink tint too. It's the perfect top coat when I want to just do a simple neutral lip or add shine to my existing lipstick. I do notice that my lips look fuller but I love the long lasting shine that goes with it. It's also not sticky feeling either.

3. SK-II Pitera Essence Set ($99 at Nordstrom)

I was using the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence for around 3-4 years. When I finished my last bottle in December, I decided to hold off due to how expensive it was. Needless to say, I missed it. I feel like it really sinks into my skin and helps soften my skin. I also used it on the tops of my hands as well. I decided to go with the smaller bottle and the SA at the counter recommended this kit to me since I would be getting the same bottle but with an additional face mask and small toner bottle. This entire set is worth $130 so it's a deal for just $99 which is the price for the individual 2.5 oz bottle of the Facial Treatment Essence. I actually really love this size as it's a perfect travel size for vacation.

4. Creme de la Mer Moisturizing Cream ($85-$465 at Nordstrom)

I've officially fallen in love with La Mer. I think I tried it over 12 years ago with a sample but the creme now doesn't have a strong algae scent. I absolutely love how my skin feels now and my dry patches have not come back at all. My forehead is staying soft and smooth. I use this only at night because of the richness. If you have dry skin, I highly recommend you go to the La Mer counter near you to try it.

5. Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Curtis Sittenfield ($15.60 on Amazon)

If you are a Jane Austin and/or a Pride and Prejudice fan, you must read this book! This is the fourth book in a series of modern authors retelling Austin's classic novels. (You don't need to go in order btw.) Pride and Prejudice is a very personal book for me because it's one that I have read and re-read since senior year in high school. What I recommend is that you relinquish your previous notions of the novel set in England in the 1800's. Just let go and enjoy the modernized world of the story set in Cincinnati, Ohio, New York and Silicon Valley. Being from the Bay Area, I love that Darcy's Pemberton estate is in Atherton, CA with the latter part of the book mostly taking place in Silicon Valley. It took me some time to get through the book at first, to stop comparing it constantly to Austin's novel. Once I finally let go, I found myself really immersed into the book, and I found myself laughing out loud to a lot of the funny situations in the book. Author Curtis Sittenfeld adds just as much humor and delight as Austin brought to it in her own time. Lizzie and Jane are modern single women in their late 30's and the tales of hookups, fertility issues and reality TV are themes that work perfectly for life today. Mrs. Bennet is equally as annoying and insane as she was in Austin's novel. This was the first book I read from author Sittenfeld who previously wrote the book Prep, the one thing I found annoying with the book was how short the chapters were. Each chapter was usually only 2-3 pages. I wish they were longer, so I didn't have to mentally stop when I found myself turning the page to start a new chapter. Because of this, I give this book 4 stars instead of 5. (Find me on Goodreads)