Coquette

C.Lavie Essentiel De Vie L'Elixir - Face Elixir

Thanks so much to Gazette in SF and C.Lavie for giving me a bottle of C.Lavie Essential Face Elixir ($85 at Gazette, online and in store) to try. I used it for three weeks straight at nighttime and not a blemish was in sight on my skin! I love the very soft scent of this face oil that is made from a patented eco-extract of French Oak cork along with key ingredients Kakai oil and Perilla oil. What's funny is that I was so set on the True Botanicals Face Oil as my holy grail that while testing this C.Lavie Face Oil, I love this so much more. I am glad I have both bottles with me so I can test it side by side. I find the face oil by C.Lavie to feel super light on the skin and I feel like after seeing how it's been working these last few weeks, works much better. The cork extract fights against redness and discomfort and I have to say I don't have any redness around my nose area that I previously had before.

 

To apply, I put a few drops in my hand and rub them together. Then I apply it on my face per the directions on the C.Lavie box (photo is here click on 2nd photo.)  Using circular motions I do a "3" motion from the top of my forehead to cheekbones and then down to chin and neck. I also use my jade roller or my Japanese ReFa S Carat Roller for face.

So here's to my new holy grail face oil, the C.Lavie Essentiel De Vie L'Elixir. In French, it translates to be the essential elixir for life and I have to agree! 

 

You can shop all the C.Lavie French organic skincare products online at Gazette.

 

Review product provided by Gazette and C.Lavie

Organic Luxury Skincare the French Way with C. Lavie

Last month I discovered the French boutique Gazette in Hayes Valley. (See my post here.) It's a delightful boutique featuring all French brands that are ethically conscious. At the center of the boutique when you enter is a table full of C. Lavie natural skincare products waiting to greet you.

As a skincare lover, I had to try this this brand and of course I am in love! Founder Sylvia Cazenave-Lavie had ultra sensitive skin and noticed that many ingredients in beauty and skincare products contained harsh chemicals. She then realized she had to take it upon herself to create a healthy organic skincare line full of natural essential oils that are free of alcohol.

C. Lavie's products are made from raw unrefined organic ingredients. Their skincare is certified organic and made in France, cruelty free. They do not source protected species to preserve biodiversity and the environment. All of the formulas are 100% active as they do not add water.

Right now, the only place you can get this skincare line in Northern California is at Gazette in SF! I really recommend you to visit the boutique so you can try first hand some of the products on your skin. If you are not in Nor Cal, you can shop online in the U.S. at the detox market. Prices for the products range from $40-$98 which is fantastic for a brand that is organic and good for your skin.

Let's talk about the C.Lavie The Cream .19. OH. MY. GOD. This is is probably the BEST organic moisturizing cream I have ever tried. It's not too oily and not greasy at all. In fact, it goes on super light on the skin and has a very slight soft scent that is really nice. (From natural fragrance too!) I have tried organic products in the past where it stinks so bad that my husband thinks I've sprayed on bug spray before bed. LOL! Not with this cream! If your skin is dry, you will really love how hydrating it is. It's made from precious oils such as prickly Pear, Jojoba and Desert Date. The ingredients are "bio-available" meaning they are easily absorbed into the skin to deliver essential nutrients and hydration.

The C. Lavie Eye Gel is a wonderful eye cream with natural hyaluronic acid and pure aloe vera juice. It also contains green coffee bean extract and immortelle oil to help with dark circles and tired worn out eyes. I love the soft gel texture and love how it feels on my skin.

The C. Lavie The Serum .21 helps to brighten and even your skin tone. With ingredients such as tomato seed oil and jojoba oil, the serum helps to protect skin against free radicals. The main ingredient in this serum is Siberian larch which helps with brightening skin tone and regulating the skin's melatonin production by reducing inflammation. The serum is a bit tinted which is great to wear in the day under your makeup. I do wish there was a non-tinted color version of a serum to wear at night.

Take a visit to Gazette in SF to try some of these products. There also is a micellar lotion which I haven't tried yet. If you are looking to do a full clean beauty routine, this French Parisian organic skincare line could be for you!

Gazette
334 Gough Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Instagram: @gazette.store

Review products provided by Gazette

Gazette: A New French Boutique in San Francisco Featuring Ethical French Brands

Gazette
334 Gough Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Instagram: @gazette.store

Just opened recently is a new boutique Gazette in the lovey Hayes Valley shopping district. It's like taking a shopping trip to France. Owner Charlotte Boedec is a French native from Paris and her new boutique Gazette features brands that originate from France. But it doesn't just stop there. These brands are ethically conscious and may use sustainable materials or ethical production methods. Every brand in the store has their own small area and there is a framed bio speaking to their background and what they do. Boedec's boutique features quality products something that I know the French value a lot. Personally, it's great to see a shop like this in San Francisco.

Boedec herself is the founder and leather designerof SOFRANCISCO, a brand that features handbags, clutches, bracelets, belts and phone cases made from handcrafted Italian leather.

Right when you enter the store, you are greeted by a display of C. Lavie skincare -- natural beauty from Paris created by Sylvia Cazaenvave-Lavie, a former chemical engineer with sensitive skin. You can find out on the C. Lavie site how they go from plant to bottle with a full ecological process with no toxic releases in the environment. All products contain a high percentage of organic grown plants. I have been using the serum, eye cream and day cream since Tuesday and will do a full review soon. Boedec mentioned to me that it was recommended by C. Lavie to only wash your face at night with micellar water and not apply any creams at all at night because your skin will repair at night. I still need to do more research on this but I have been keeping it minimal at night only using my natural products and spraying on rosewater and using my face oil at night while keeping to the C. Lavie regimen in the day (with SPF 50 sunscreen over it).

One of the most popular pieces in the boutique are the classic French mariner striped shirts from Armor Lux. You can really feel the quality of the fabric and these "bateau" tops will surely last a long time. I'm obsessed!

Kids clothing by Le Petits Carreaux is wonderfully displayed near the front of the shop. You guys know how much I love this brand! Chloe sported it a lot when she was younger. (See previous Coquette Maman post .)

Noliju is a super stylish activewear brand.

Naturellement Petits is a clothing line for tweens and teens.

Wooden laser etched jewelry and home decor accessories by Reine Mere.

Lulu waiting patiently while I'm taking photos inside Gazette.

Owner of Gazette, Charlotte Boedec.

Please take a visit to Gazette at 334 Gough Street the next time you are in Hayes Valley and stop by to say hi to Charlotte!

Saje x Heather Day's Limited Edition Ultrasonic Diffuser

San Francisco artist Heather Day has teamed up with Saje Natural Wellness to create a water-themed designed ultrasonic diffuser to bring deep breaths and wellness into your daily life. The Saje Heather Day Aroma Art Diffuser ($84.95) is available now through December 31st. The diffuser comes with the Rainforest essential oil -- a woodsy pine scent that is making me enjoy the cozy fall weather here in SF. Part of the proceeds of this limited edition diffuser will benefit DrawBridge, a nonprofit arts program for homeless children.

I love how this diffuser is also like a piece of art. It goes perfectly well with the decor in my home. If you have never tried a diffuser, here's your chance! It's a great way to bring wellness into your home as the diffuser eliminates negative ions and cleanses they air as it disperses beneficial essential oil molecules. I love that this diffuser is heat-free and can be used also as a humidifier. There are two settings for high and low mist and one diffuser can cover 300-500 square feet in the home.

If you are new to using a diffuser, I love this box of The Classics ($44.95) featuring four of their famous scents: Tranquility, Stress Release, Fortified Breeze and Liquid Sunshine (one of my all time favorite Saje scents!).

You can read more about Heather Day and her collaboration with Saje as well as learn more about essential oils and its benefits to the body on the Saje site.

Purchase the Saje Heather Day Aroma Art Diffuser at Saje.com.

Review product provided by Saje

Mineral Fusion Vibrant Shine Shampoo + Conditioner

Even though for the most part my hair is straight, I always felt like it lacked the shine I wanted, especially with my color-treated hair. My hair has never been looking better since I started using Mineral Fusion three months ago. I saw it in the beauty aisle at Whole Foods and just decided I wanted something chemical free, with good ingredients but nothing expensive anymore. Fast forward to two weeks ago, my long time hairdresser of 11 years remarked that he's never seen my hair looks so good and feel so healthy. That's when it all clicked in my head that this Mineral Fusion was like gold! It was really working!

I use the Mineral Fusion Vibrant Shine Shampoo ($9.99 on Amazon) and the Mineral Fusion Vibrant Shine ($9.99 on Amazon). There are actually a few different kinds based on your hair type or problem (Smoothing, Hair Repair, Strengthening, Curl Care, Lasting Color, Volumizing, Fortifying and Anti-Dandruff). I have never seen my hair more shiny and smooth! There is a light citrus smelling fragrance that smells wonderful when you are in the shower. Light-reflecting minerals and panthenol in the shampoo help with the shine, while mineral-rich clay gently cleanses your hair. The argan and sunflower oils in the conditioner help to polish and smooth hair. I really love the shine my hair has! The products are 100% vegan, sulfate free, gluten free, cruelty free, paraben free and is safe for color-treated hair. There is soy contained in the product so if you are allergic, be aware. All of the ingredients are here for the shampoo and here for the conditioner (click on ingredients tab).

I wash my hair every other day and my hair never feels like it's weighted down with product. It always feels clean and light. I'm done with overpriced hair products! This is full of natural and organic ingredients and it works amazingly well for my hair.

Shop Mineral Fusion Vibrant Shine Shampoo and Mineral Fusion Vibrant Shine on Amazon.

Saje Natural Wellness in San Francisco

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to visit the new Saje Natural Wellness Boutique in San Francisco (1913 Fillmore Street). This Canadian brand has made its way to the U.S. with San Francisco as it's first Bay Area boutique. (Soon, it will open in Corte Madera too.) The airy, open and beautiful store had my mind racing to see which section I would check out first. I headed to the natural oil section first to see what was there. As an allergy sufferer, especially this spring, I was introduced to their natural soothing oil blend, Inhale that helps with allergies and clearing sinuses. I am not a big aromatherapy person and I'm pretty sensitive to smells but everything inside Saje smelled wonderful. No scent was too strong or irritating. That was the first surprise to me. In fact, the inhale oil is something that I use now often to help with my sinus. It really works!

They sell ultrasonic diffusers in a variety of colors and designs that work with their diffuser blends.

I also loved their natural soy wax candles made with 100% cotton, lead-free, bleach-free and chemical free.

All of the sales associates inside the boutique are really helpful. Just let them know what you are interested in to make you feel better whether it's lack of sleep, stress, pain, etc. The founder of the company, husband and wife team, Jean-Pierre and Kate LeBlanc wanted a natural way to ease Jean-Pierre's chronic pain after a serious car accident. Jean-Pierre used his chemistry background to create natural plant-based formulas for wellness. There is so much healing power in plants! Some of his blends have earned National Heath Registration numbers from Health Canada (which means the Canadian government supports their products' beneficial health claims). I am so glad that we have Saje now in SF! I am always looking to bring in more natural products into my daily life and using their products has been really great. If you aren't in the Bay Area, don't worry. You can purchase Saje products from their website saje.com.

Saje was nice to let me pick a few items of theirs to try out and review. Here are some of the products that I am loving from Saje:

Inhale Soothing Oil Blend for Deep Breath ($22.95)

The oil comes in a handy rollerball which you can easily roll on your face. Roll it below your eyes and sinus area on your forehead. Once I have done that I tap all around the area to let the oil set into my skin. (There is a how-to video on the product page.) The result? My sinus congestion melts away and I can breathe again!

Konjac Kare Green Tea ($9.95)

I love this 100% natural vegetable fiber sponge enriched with green tea extract. It protects your skin from damaging environmental influences and helps prevent dehydration. The sponge is hard to being with so make sure you soak the sponge in warm water for a few minutes to get it all soft. Then add your cleanser to the sponge and with a circular motion massage your face. You can use the edges to really cleanse nose area well. (You can also use just wet without a cleanser too.) The result for me is extra soft skin. After cleansing, I rinse out the sponge and squeeze out the excess water. I hang the string so it can dry on my bathtub faucet. You can also place it inside it's case which has openings on the top and bottom, but I find it dries faster while hanging. I have been using this everyday for my nightly cleansing routine for the last few weeks. Since I have been doing this, I have not had any breakouts during my last period cycle. Saje also sells a few other kinds of vegetable cleansing sponges so you can choose one that's best for you.

Skin So Clean Mildly Exfoliating Facial Cleanser ($22.95)

This exfoliating cleanser is so soft on the skin. The tiny beads are not coarse, they are really, super soft and working this into your skin feels really good. The cleanser uses the gentle exfoliating effects of oats and rice with Neroli to let skin regenerate and Ylang Ylang to comfort and soothe skin. I use this twice a week to get rid of dead skin cells. Again, since I have been using this I have had no breakouts in my last period cycle. I feel like all my pores are really clean.

Cellucleanse Cleansing Bath Salt Soak ($24.95 or 21.9 oz, or $8.95 for 4.2 oz)

Ok can I just say that the Saje bath salts are pure heaven?! The Cellucleanse is made with purifying Himalayan pink salts along with essential oils. The key to the benefits of the salts is to not add them into your bath until you are about ready to get in. Otherwise, the essential oils will dissipate once they hit the hot water. One you slip in the bathtub - pure heaven! Bath salts are a great way to relieve stress and toxins in your body. Just remember to drink plenty of water to help flush out the toxins.

Goddess Euphoric Bath Salt Soak ($24.95 or 21.9 oz, or on sale for $6.95 for 4.2 oz)

The Goddess scent is one of my favorites from Saje. It comes in many different forms from these bath salts to natural perfume. It's a sweet floral blend of Jasmineylang Ylang, Ylang Ylang and Rose. Very soft and feminine. I like this as a end of week Sunday night bath as a ritual for myself before the crazy week starts again. When I head back to the boutique, I'm going to pick up the natural perfume Goddess. It's a rollerball perfume with a gemstone rose quartz rollerball so you also get some energy work from the crystal. (Each fragrance has their own gemstone rollerball.)

Coco Lips Lip Balm ($4.95)

I'm a lip balm addict! I love this soothing natural lip balm made with coconut, shea, and cocoa. There are a few other flavors of Saje lip balms.

Liquid Sunshine Zesty Foaming Hand Soap ($9.95)

I made a move recently to do away with commercial hand soap and use only natural or organic liquid soaps for my family. This Saje hand soap in the scent Liquid Sunshine is a fresh, citrus scent that wakes up your senses. My 8 year old loves it and it promotes her to wash her hands more often because she loves the smell.

If you are looking for new things to try, take a look at Kate's Favs. Her picks change each month and they display them in store also. That is how I discovered the hand soap!

Shop Saje Natural Wellness at saje.com or visit their boutique at 1913 Fillmore Street, San Francisco.

Review products provided by Saje

Kiehl's Friends and Family Sale: Stock Up on Your Favorite Kiehl's Products

I'm so excited because today the Kiehl's Friends and Family sale starts. This sale only happens once a year and you can get 20% off your purchase starting today through May 22nd. Just click on the image above to print out and take it into your Kiehl's boutique or use the code FRIENDS when you checkout at Kiehls.com.

If you are heading to a Kiehl's boutique, let me suggest getting one of the Kiehl's Apothocary Preparations. You can read my review about it from last November here. It's only at select Kiehl's throughout the country. You work with a Kiehl's skin care specialist to get a personalized serum for your skin. The whole assessment only takes 10-15 minutes and it's so worth it! I'm almost done with my bottle which I have been using every night since I've received it. I have noticed my skin feels smooth and my hyperpigmention (sun spots) on my cheek are less apparent.

Here are more of my Kiehl's picks:

Kiehl's Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream ($60 for 1.7 fl oz jar)

Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Mineral Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ ($38)

Kiehl's Activated Sun Protector 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 ($29 for 5.0 fl oz)

Kiehl's Creme de Corps ($18 for 4.2 fl oz)

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado ($29 for 0.5 fl oz jar)

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.

KARYNG Skincare: Replenishing Cleanser + Complete SPF 50

You know how much I love discovering new skincare brands, especially natural skincare, right? Well I just found a new favorite - KARYNG by Dr. Karyn Grossman. Dr. Grossman who has a practice (and new spa services) in Santa Monica, CA and NY has been named one of the five "Hot Derms" by Harper's Bazaar and also listed as a top cosmetic surgeon by the NY Times and Vogue. The skincare line consists of six essential products which she created helps to target the key signs of aging: fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin, uneven pigmentation, inflammation and dullness in skin. Her products are 90% natural and 10% science. The products are formulated without parabens, petroleum, pesticides, propylene or butylene glycols, phthalates, BPA’s,PEG’s, TEA, DEA, GMO, glutens, or synthetic fragrances. The products are vegan and not tested on animals.

I was so excited to be able to test out two of her wonderful products.

I have been using her KARYNG Replenishing Cleanser ($25) each morning (I use an oil cleanser at night) and it's really cleaned my skin without stripping it dry. I really like the subtle citrus smell. The cleanser contains her patented Pro-Verte Complex which is a natural anti-inflammatory complex, Coconut Oil, Coconut Fatty Acid and Glycerin. The pop lid container is easy to open and dispense the cleanser in your hand.

My favorite product is the KARYNG Complete SPF 50 ($75). It is a tinted SPF that comes in two shades: light/medium or medium/dark. I have it in the light/medium and it blends perfectly into my skin. It's a great way to get an even complexion for vacation days in the sun and when you don't want to wear much make up in the summer. It's also a great primer under your makeup too. I find the formula amazing because it doesn't smell like sunscreen. My dermatologist always told me to get sunscreen with both Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide for real, full production and this is the first tinted sunscreen that I have seen that has both.

I'm looking forward to trying out more of the KARYNG product line. Also in the collection is a Retinol Renewing Serum, an eye cream and night cream. All of the products sell for under $100 each making it easy to stock up on an entire skincare regimen without going broke. I also like how she planned different skincare regimens as examples.

Purchase KARYNG skincare products at KARYNG.com.
(Free shipping on orders over $50)

Review product provided by PR firm

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!