sadly another RIP in the family

man and boy and bird, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Sadly Nanna and Grandpa Hairy Pig's (no, i'm not joking about the name - he chose it!) obnoxiously bad tempered cockatiel snuffed it sometime last night thus halting his reign of expletives without launching into another decade.
Beautiful to look at, a peril to hold, this bird has never forgiven me for clipping its nails once a long time ago. All efforts for friendship were snubbed by him spitting, sneezing and hissing at me.

Dad will miss him.
I won't.
... and Nanna didn't even spot he was an ex-parrot when she took the cover off his cage this morning.

My Top Ten Films of the Decade- #1 Amélie

Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain (also known simply as Amélie) is not only my favorite film of the decade… but is also my favorite film of all time. I’ll never forget the first time I saw this magical little gem by Jean Pierre Jeunet. It was 2001, I was living in Paris and went with a few of my friends to the cinema. I was completely unprepared for the utter enchantment I was about to experience from a film that would ultimately change my life.

Audrey Tautou plays Amélie, a shy waitress from Montmartre who one day comes across a box of childhood treasures in her Parisian apartment. She decides that evening to return the box to its original owner and if the owner is moved- she will devote her life to helping others. He is moved- and Amélie’s adventures begin- thrusting her out of her shell and allowing her to live life, make meaningful connections and ultimately… to love.

Everything about this movie- the music, the cinematography, the acting- reads like a love letter to Paris. It is so moving- so poetic… so ultimately unforgettable. Since Amélie was released I have noticed so many art forms influenced by its unique and whimsical style- which has happily assured me that this beautiful film has not only affected me, but millions of people who have seen it too.

I have really enjoyed doing this series on my top ten films of the past decade. I’m looking forward to another decade full of inspiring cinema and would love to know… what were your top ten films of the last decade?

And now... I'm off to Barbados... Happy New Year!


Audrey Tautou is pictured above in a scene from Amélie.

New Years in Barbados

Dear Readers,

I will be spending New Years in Barbados this year. I haven't mentioned this earlier because it seems that every time I mention an upcoming trip on my blog it gets canceled- but it looks like this one is going full steam ahead!

I have packed lightly- but I find packing lightly for a tropical destination easy. I don't need much more than a few bathing suits, some long flowy dresses, white linen trousers, a hat and a good book.

I will post my number one film of the decade on Wednesday now and then I will take a short break from The Daily Connoisseur while on holiday.

Thank you for making this past year such a brilliant one. I hope you have a wonderful New Year and that 2010 brings you everything your heart desires...

With Love,

Jennifer xx

snow, or lack of

Snowboarder at Whistler, originally uploaded by bexybeads.

At least we saw snow at Whistler! Glorious sunshine all round in Lower Mainland (or at least the high bits) for Christmas.

My Top Ten Films of the Decade- #2 Match Point

Woody Allen’s 2005 thriller Match Point, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Scarlett Johansson is my second favorite film of the decade.

I came into this film knowing very little about it. I did know that Woody Allen directed it. I quite like Woody Allen films so I was expecting to be pleasantly entertained with neurotic characters looking for love and acceptance in New York City. Instead what I got was a complete shock- a thrilling 124 minutes that completely enveloped me in a tale of morality and seduction in modern day London.

Match Point follows Chris Wilton (played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers) a young Irish tennis teacher that has a passion for Dostoevsky, tennis, fine wine and the arts. He befriends a wealthy upper class British family that is composed of brother and sister Chloe and Tom Hewitt (played brilliantly by Emily Mortimer and Matthew Goode). Wilton makes his way into the Hewitt family by romancing Chloe but temptation constantly lurks around the corner in the form of Nola Rice (played seductively by Scarlett Johansson). This film is fluid, enthralling and utterly fascinating with just the perfect touch of darkness added...

Match Point thrilled me in 2005 and continues to do so today and is, in my opinion, Woody Allen’s pivotal masterpiece…

I will announce my pick for the number one film of the decade on New Years Day. To recap my picks so far... here is my list:

10. Intimate Strangers
9. Drag Me to Hell
8. La Vie en Rose
7. Marie Antoinette
6. Lost in Translation
5. Y Tu Mamá También
4. The Dreamers
3. Gosford Park
2. Match Point


Any guess as to what #1 will be?


Scarlett Johansson is pictured in a scene from Match Point above.

Christmas Wishes

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year, from all of us at The Daily Connoisseur (and by all of us I mean Gatsby and me).

xxx

Truly Happy Holidays or How Not to Overindulge

I generally love the holiday season- (not necessarily more than any other season, mind you, as I try to enjoy every day of my life- the holidays do bring that little sparkle of spirit...) but it is so easy to get carried away and overindulge in everything while not really savoring anything.

Does that make sense? How many times have I sat down to a particularly decadent holiday feast and overindulged in either food or libation? Now I know most people will say that’s what you’re supposed to do over the holidays- but I beg to differ. All of the hors d’oeuvres, roasts, candies and chocolates, cocktails, mince pies and eggnogs offered this time of year are all lovely- but I don’t really see the use of overindulging in them to the point where they are no longer special or considered a delicacy.

Now don't get me wrong- not overindulging is very difficult for me. I am a foodie and nothing delights me more than a delicious morsel of something to eat. But I am learning that it’s all about restraint- about relishing that delicious salmon in puffed pastry or that particularly tasty chocolate truffle. It is not, however, about having 7 more truffles after that one.

Oh, but how to not have the 7 other truffles? This goes back to Eating- Comme les Français- eating in the moment- savoring each bite in a sensuous, practically obscene manner. If I give that delicious chocolate truffle my entire attention when I’m eating it, rather than shoveling it nervously into my mouth while trying to socialize, I am more likely to enjoy it and less likely to reach for another.

So far this season, it has worked liked a charm. It could be that I find myself in L.A. rather than England, so I have less mince pies and mulled wines to fend off- or it could be that I am finally coming to the point where I can enjoy every little moment- every little morsel and be content with less…

How are your indulgences this holiday season?

Truffles from my favorite chocolatier in L.A., Chocolatt... from Belgium are pictured above.

Favorite Recipe For The Holidays

Saying Goodbye To 2009

Merry Christmas Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. We have been having some beautiful snowfalls here and everything has been blanketed in white. Snow mobilers are having a blast as they zip across the countryside. Downtown lights are beautiful and gleaming and everyone is getting their Christmas shopping done. Children are laughing, getting ready for Santa, and there is a chill in the air with everyone bundled up taking their annual sleigh ride. It is a time of year when everyone seems more at peace and smiles are abundant....OMG this sounds like a Christmas Carol.... I have even noticed more stores' sales staff are wishing Merry Christmas this year. You can't help but feel your heart be a bit lighter.

After a long and fruitful year, I debated how to close it out. As you all know I have written many articles that have sometimes been informative, educational, whimsical, fun and reminiscent of things I enjoy in my everyday life.

With the closing of 2009 and this being my last article for the year, I decided to keep it simple and share with you a holiday dish which was handed down to me by my beloved mother whom has since passed away from cancer in 1983. She made this every year as I was growing up, and it is a favorite recipe that I cherish for more than how delicious it is. I have neatly tucked away the very recipe card handwritten by her, and every time I read it or make the dish, I remember her fondly. She had such beautiful handwriting! (sigh)

I held tight to this little gem, not wanting to give away that tiny part we shared with each other, to anyone. It was ours, and it was special, and it is a memory of a happy time. She and my Gran always made the holidays so special, a tradition I continued by making new memories with my husband and our children. I was mom and grandma to my kids every Christmas and our home was steeped in all the tradition I could muster. She taught me so many things along with my Gran, my mom's mom, much of which was forgiveness, kindness and to see the good in people even when they are having a bad day!

This year after so many years before of holding onto the small things in life, has allowed me the opportunity to learn so many new things and to have met some wonderful new people. Sharing and growing with each day. Anyone who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks, is someone who doesn't want to learn anything new. I learn something new to this day, everyday! Some of which I have learned from you, my readers.

I have so enjoyed our time together, not only in what you have contributed as my readers through emails and the like, but also the closeness I feel with more than just some of you who write to me on a regular basis. In keeping with the Holiday spirit, I wanted to give a small piece of something I truly enjoy to everyone who supports me and my business and I hope this recipe will become a favorite for you and your family as it has for mine for the past 30 years. Some of you may have gotten a glimpse of it in my Thanksgiving Video with my Family. My daughter made it at her home.

I will rejoin all of you with my next article after the New Year! Cheers to all, and Live, Love, and Enjoy!

Let's Get To The Fixin's

Ingredients You'll Need

Crab (Krab) Dip Recipe

• 1 - 1b of Fresh Crab or Krab Flakes (substitute shrimp if you like)
  
• 1 - 8 oz packet of Cream Cheese (1/3 less fat)
  
• 2 - Packets Knox Gelatin (Unflavored)
  
• 3 - Tbs Water per packet(cold) 6 Tbs total
  
• 1 - Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
  
• 1/4 - Cup Mayonnaise
  
• 1 - Cup chopped Red or Yellow Onion ( I prefer Red for more flavor and zip)
  
• 1 - Cup Chopped Celery
  
• 2-3 Tbs Lemon Juice
  
• Optional (zing it up with some finely chopped tomato)

Add your water to the powdered gelatin and stir until dissolved.

Slightly warm your soup and cream cheese for easy blending into the mixture. (only warm if you are using full fat cream cheese) Reduced fat is already quite soft.

Now mix into the gelatin and then add all the remaining ingredients except the lemon juice.

Blend well!

Kitchen Aid works very well for this recipe. It pulverizes Krab Flakes without having to chop them up.

Now add your lemon juice. Mix well!

Pour into your favorite mold if you wish for a pretty display at the table. Allow to set up in the refrigerator for a few hours. If you don't desire a mold, simply scoop into your favorite bowl and spoon from there after it sets up. You can tell it is ready when you can touch it and it feels firm just like traditional jellos.

If using a mold.....Fill sink with very hot water....now place bottom of your mold in the water for approximately 10-20 seconds and then invert onto plate. This may take several tries of redipping into the hot water with inverting it again. Kind of give it a tap to help it break the suction hold.

Voila! Beautifully displayed crab dip ready to serve with your favorite crackers, Wasa Bread or deli toast.

When I make this dip, I actually have a fish mold that I use and it looks so great. In fact I used that same mold for my Jello Mold I also featured in our Thanksgiving video during the ride over to my daughters home.

That's it everyone..... a recipe near and dear to my heart for all of you to enjoy this holiday season or any special occasion you may have in the future.

Seasons Greetings With Our Holiday Schedule

Signing off for the year, but you can find me on Twitter, or my FAN page or hopefully I'll produce a video over the holiday season....it all depends on how busy we stay. My staff is available for any assistance you may need. We will also be taking full 4 day holidays for both Christmas and New Years. So Christmas and New Years will be 3 day weeks only and we don't foresee any delays in getting orders out in a timely fashion.

Take care, and hoping all your wishes and dreams come true for 2010. Here is to a new year of love, laughter and prosperity.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year!

Hugs and Kisses!

Christmas- Comme les Français

Every year around this time my elderly neighbors in the apartment across the street place two lighted menorahs in their windows- the glow of the candelabras dance off of their lace curtains. Next to them a young couple- newlyweds presumably- have erected a Christmas tree- decorated only with white lights. I love observing these subtle observances of the holidays… little things that people do to celebrate this time of year and what it means for them.

I am definitely in the camp that prefers subtle holiday decorations. As a kid, the more Christmas decorations the merrier, but now as an adult with my own family, my tastes have changed and I err on the side of subtlety. B and I put up a tiny four-foot Christmas tree decorated with white lights and red ribbons (pictured above). Two miniature rosemary trees sit on top of our fireplace and remind me with their soothing scent that the holidays are here… and our holiday cards are paraded neatly on a bow hanging over our hallway closet to cheer us when we enter the house. It’s not much but it is enough to remind us of the specialness of the season.

Not going too over the top and celebrating Christmas in a subtle but enjoyable fashion is a very French thing to do. I can’t imagine any blow up snowmen on the lawns of Famille Chic’s holiday home or massive piles of presents under the tree… After all this time of year is about spending time with your family, eating really good food and feeling grateful for what we already have- a great attitude that allows us to not stress out and remember what’s important…

I hope your holiday season so far is enjoyable and filled with magic and love…

wordless wednesday

destined to be, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

morning after the night before

marshmallow hearts brooch, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Phew! It's the end of craft fair season for me and I'm taking a break from prepping inventory for a while. I can close down the merchant account to reduce my overheads and, once christmas is done, steel myself to approaching some bricks and mortars to see if anyone else would like to carry ebb and flo goodies.

Since I'm not really one to trumpet my own assets (but I can mix my metaphors) this will be a real test of courage for me. I got some great tips while on the craft fair circuit so I shall follow up these leads in the New Year.

Good news though! Several of my brooches are now in new hands. Somehow these little items are like babies to me. I don't make them very often, and only when really inspired. I can feel the brooch mojo still working so I shall "reward" myself with making a few more. Marshmallow Hearts, as shown above though is still looking for a new home. Please apply within ........

My Top Ten Films of the Decade- #3 Gosford Park

By now many of you know that I am writing (and nearly finished with!) my first mystery novel. I consider myself to be not only a daily connoisseur but a mystery connoisseur as well. I tend to usually like highbrow mysteries- mysteries with tea cups and whiskeys, bridge and evening gowns, servants and poisons- so it should be no surprise to you that I freaking loved Gosford Park.

This 2001 film, written by Julian Fellowes and directed by the late (and sorely missed) Robert Altman was the cinematic equivalent of heaven for me. The film takes place in 1932 in the English country manor of Sir William McCordle (played by Michael Gambon). A glamorous group of Britons, Americans and their servants gather in the austere McCordle home where, naturally, a murder is committed in the middle of the night. Altman weaves an enthralling tale that follows the whodunit from the perspective of two very different classes- those that live ‘above the stairs’ and those that live ‘below’.

The all star cast includes the likes of Kristen Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, Ryan Phillippe and Clive Owen. This film was certainly a classic of this decade and will remain one, I believe, for decades to come…


Won’t you stay tuned for my number 2 pick?

fuzzy annelli - amber

fuzzy annelli - amber, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

one of the very best things about a two-day craft market is that there is no take down on day one and no set up on day two.

this translates into a leisurely evening meal on the first day followed by homebaked cinnamon buns for breakfast on the second day.

almost enough compensation for saturday being an incredibly quiet selling day!

come down and sample the handmade delights of Portobello West at the Rocky Mountaineer station on Cottrell Street, 12 noon to 6pm today.

remember - it's time to buy your handmade christmas gifts (hint, hint)

The Strange and Wonderful Joy I get out of Housework

For the past nine months I have been cleaning the house sans help. We are doing this partly to save money and partly because the wonderful lady helping us had to leave the country and I can't be bothered to get someone else in. I actually enjoy doing housework and do a little every day anyway so I didn't think it would be such a big deal.

At first it was all going smoothly. I had a schedule and I stuck to it. Then I found that the more I cleaned the more I needed to clean. (For example, I couldn't clean the kitchen counter tops without also doing the floors, the surfaces of the cupboards, the inside of the fridge... you get the idea...)

Then I found myself devoting a ridiculous 3+ hours a day to cleaning the house. B would look at me in astonishment. It was like I was a cleaning robot- incapable of doing anything else! I carried on like this for about three months. Then I burned out and completely let things go and only did about 20 minutes of cleaning a day (which for me wasn't really that bad... I just didn't do the details like clean the inside of the fridge... you get the idea...)

Where am I going with this? Oh yes. So today I had the day off and was in the mood to clean again. It was a glorious stormy, turbulent day in Santa Monica (very rare) so I lit the fire, played Anthea Turner Perfect Housewife on DVD in the background (you want to see a show that will motivate you to clean? This is the one!), and have made my home completely spotless for the past 5 hours (taking breaks in between, of course). I'm not sure what perverse pleasure I get out of doing this... but I think it has to do with wanting to live well and living well for me means looking at sparkling taps, gleaming floors and a gorgeously made bed...

I would love to know... do you get a kick out of cleaning?


Pictured above are my beloved pink gloves that I wear while cleaning- a very thoughtful present from my sister (Thanks L!)

Diamond Powder, The New Mineral Makeup Ingredient

Is This Really The Next New Fangled Ingredient?

Polymethylsilsesquioxane/Benzimidazole Diamond Copolymer.....wow that is certainly a mouthful!

I was recently asked by several customers about a new ingredient that is beginning to arrive on the mineral makeup scene and whether or not I would find it a benefit to my mineral makeup line?

Several companies are touting the benefit of how much younger one will look when using a mineral powder containing this ingredient. Some sell it as is, such as a mineral veil, repackaged under their own business label, and some sell it combined with other base powders for a complete makeup effect.

Polymethylsilsesquioxane/benzimidazole diamond copolymer may sound fairly new, however the composition in part of this miracle powder is not so new and is being used in many commercial brands of cosmetics and skincare applications across the board. Furthermore, they incorporate FD&C Dyes as their colorants for color correcting skin tones.

Grant Industries is the only company that makes this new polymer and has applied for a broad patent for their new version of this latest technology and they recently launched it this past summer. Their version is referred to as Granpowder Lumiere. In reviewing their information and the potential for sampling, I found the research interesting and informative.

From Their Website:

"While the particles were developed as a novel ingredient for cosmetics, a broad patent was filed by Grant Industries and Nanometics that also includes many industrial applications which would benefit from a durable, solid micronized particle with core photoluminescent properties" said John Gormley, a Technical Director at Grant Industries, Inc. PSQ is close to the silica family and is highly crosslinked and therefore generally stable to most chemical environments over a wide pH range. Since the diamond complex will not leech out of the system, the particles can be used for many materials applications, including optical coatings and plastics. The particles are ideal for use in liquid crystal displays, where the refractive index of the polymer meets critical optical requirements.

Update: 1/19/2010

I have removed the ingredient breakdown from a consumers' perspective in working with Grant Industries to allow them to present their innovative technology in regard to its' composition. I have also provided additional UPDATES throughout the article for clarification and removed remarks that may have been misconstrued. The link to the article update is Here to understand why the changes to this portion of my article took place.

The Chemical Composition Of This Ingredient Provided By Grant Industries

The name Polymethylsilsesquioxane/Benzimidazole/Diamond Copolymer may be long, but what does it mean? For starters, the fact that it is listed as copolymer with slashes in between the listed components implies all of these parts are reacted together and regardless of the name, cannot be pulled apart into any of the original elements (which are typically called monomers) without first destroying the polymer.

One might be tempted to try and break this name down and learn something about the chemistry behind the Benzimidazole/diamond copolymer portion, but in this case it would be pretty misleading as there is no free benzimidazole, benz, imidazole or even free diamond present in the final product.

Polymethylsilsesquioxane ~ is a spherical, fine particle silicone resin exhibiting a very narrow particle size distribution. Its lubricity, silky smooth feel and water repellency make it useful for color cosmetics and other skincare applications. This polymer part, in its purest form, is approved for certain food contact applications and all global cosmetic applications. This component makes up over 99.8% of the copolymer in Lumière and forms up nearly 100% of the surface chemistry of the particle. In short, we are providing something like a food-grade surface coating with a fluorescent core of something that is cemented into the middle of the particle. This means the “core” ingredients will never interact with skin as small molecules, thus maintaining a great safety profile of PSQ.

Benzimidazole ~ This chemical component represents a chemical linkage and is a six member ring attached to a five member ring with two nitrogen’s in it. Other linkages can be made to the diamond group or other groups at one or more positions along the ring structure. At no time was any benzene or other potentially toxic chemicals used to make this final copolymer. In fact we use only water as the solvent in our process. Similar ring structures like this one are found in proteins, amino acids, foods, flavors and fragrances and many consumer products like detergents and the optical brighteners that make your “whites look whiter”. The end story is while a portion of this material is closely related to glass and silica, another smaller portion (<0.2%)> is synthetic in nature, specific in structure and engineered to be “inside” the glass-like particle to give a luminous appearance under UV light. It is not at all related to toxic intermediates regardless of the complexities imparted by the chemical naming process.

Diamond Copolymer ~ This is not a separate component from the ingredient title as they are linked together as part of the copolymer. This is unique to Grant Industries and they claim it is real diamond powder encapsulated copolymer, which in essence is just another term for producing a silicone which assists with flow, and is a polymer chain made up of 2 or more monomers. This is what supposedly gives the high level of soft focus effect in the makeup with a light refraction of diamonds.

FD&C Dyes ~ These are formulated from Chemical and Petroleum processes and Coal Tars, and some have shown to have many complications in different forms. The FDA has not determined them to be hazardous and most are approved safe for food and cosmetic use.

Two Colorants Disliked By The European Union

UPDATE 1/19/2010 Links provided to latest information on these two colorants.

FD&C Red 40 has been linked to being carcinogenic and has shown to cause reproductive issues and tumors when tested on lab animals by the the National Cancer Institute. It has also been related to increasing ADD/ADHD symptoms and some have had allergic reactions. Once made from coal tars, it is now primarily made from petroleum.

The European Union and the UK made a move this year, 2009, to disallow it in products since they believe it is also linked to hyperactivity in children. It is already banned in Japan, France, Austria, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden. Its' synonym is Allura Red, and the main concern is its' use in lip products where minute amounts can be ingested. Check your labels for this red colorant on any cosmetic product you may purchase.

Yellow No 5 has been linked to allergic reactions and skin sensitivities such as itching and skin patch discolorations, and is mainly linked to those allergic to aspirin. Asthmatic conditions became prevalent in those that ingested this whether in the form of a lip color, food color or vitamin supplement.

UPDATE 1/14/10: It has been pointed out to me by a commenter, who wished to remain anonymous, of this blog post which their comments are below along with my followup, that these two colorants are not used in this powder. Unfortunately these colorants are listed on the website of the repackager, which I noted in my article, creating possibly some confusion for my readers. Furthermore this commenter told me "I should get my facts straight". To which I reply, I received a letter from John Gormley shortly after this was published and he never took issue as to the colorants I named and appreciated my kind assessment of this ingredient. He only wished to clarify precisely that this ingredient was in no way related to the chemical breakdown above (now removed) which I stipulate to later in this article anyway as it is primarily from a consumer perspective. Upon clarification, John was satisfied with language as written. To quote John Gormley from the paragraph above "While the particles were developed as a novel ingredient for cosmetics", the emphasis on "novel". This was originally intentioned as something fun and unique. This ingredient has yet to be assessed by CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) and is further explained later in the article!

In speaking with John Gormley, I felt I was reaching the best resource for my information and with him not refuting the possible inaccurate colorant list, then there is no reason for me to determine anything other than what information I can track. If you can't rely on the source of this ingredient then how as consumers can we rely on any information we receive? This only serves to make our jobs as cosmetic formulators all the more difficult. I placed the facts as they were provided to me through my questions to John Gormley.

Please realize, that those that make an argument for any ingredient, will have their own reasoning behind the use of the ingredient and their interpretation as to safety, yet without completed assessed data. So this commenter has her strong "like" for this ingredient so she finds herself defending it (unnecessarily) while at the same time deciding to educate me on formulations of ingredients through the use of disparaging remarks....fine, but my only advice is to also be sure of her facts before accusing me of misinformation since she was not part of the phone conversations or the email exchanges between John and myself....... Especially coming from a place of hiding her identity! I believe in transparency so I wish she had owned her statements without exclusion under the excuse of impropriety! My firm belief: if you can't put your name on it, then don't say it!

As to my responsibility to any mistakes made, in keeping with creating good will, I wish to share my sincerest apologies to Grant Industries for any failure on my part of providing the actual colorant list or the possibility I may have caused confusion for the consumer in taking a closer look at this ingredient through a chemical breakdown. I made no deliberate intent to mislead my readers as I provided a link above directly to the page for further analysis by my readers. Also, following this controversy of concern over colorants, I decided to call John Gormley for further clarification and in fact, the two colorants in question are used in the Granpowder Lumiere since they produce more than one version apparently. The version listed at the link above is only one version of this unique powder. It is my belief that the use of these particular colorants in some of their powders do not belong in mineral cosmetics and that as the manufacturer of this ingredient, I'd hoped they would have taken this into consideration as being relevant to today's standards.....but this is only my personal opinion and the consensus of many consumers and one that John seemed to share as I address later in this article.

I also wish to apologize to all of my readers if I created any unintentional confusion since I know many have come to rely on me as an accurate resource. Hopefully this latest update has clarified matters and I will continue to strive to doing the very best research by standards which can only be achieved when utilizing information, whether it be accurate or inaccurate, as provided by the manufacturers.

Safety Concerns

Like all ingredients on the market, they come with an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and this always shows manufacturing safety data for extensive exposure in manufacturing which in and by itself does not alarm me as a cosmetic formulator. What does concern me, is the fact that a couple of these mineral makeup companies are selling this ingredient as is, uncut or diluted in it's purest form. To date there is insignificant data as to the safety of this particular compound with no outsourced MSDS data. The ingredient manufacturer is required to provide their own to formulators, but I prefer safety data from numerous sources since manufacturers will provide their own evidence. There is no other testing to prevent bias which I have personally experienced as in the case with Bismuth Oxychloride manufacturers....Plus the research is not extensive enough in a push to get it to market.

UPDATE 1/19/2010 But remember MSDS is an assessment based on hazard and not risk, hence why it must be made available to employees of any facility which manufactures. The consumer by definition is not exposed to a hazard so risk is very low as with many cosmetic ingredients.

Specifications are always outlined on maximum percentage used in a cosmetic formula for safety reasons for the end user. The companies that are using this mixed in a formulation appear to be doing so at the recommended dosage based on a breakdown of the ingredient list, and this ingredient used in this context is probably more than safe.

Unfortunately, others whom are repackaging and don't actually formulate their own colors or cosmetics, are placing the consumer at risk since the customer is placing trust in a business that sells mineral cosmetics. A true formulator would possess this knowledge of reselling uncut ingredients in their full strength and realize it is not in the best interest of the customer and could prove to be a liability. Furthermore, if the FD&C listing of colorants is accurate on this mineral makeup site then they are also exposing customers to questionable petroleum processes and coal tar derivatives that have been shown harmful by researchers and scientists alike. There is also the fact that RED 40 is banned in the countries named above with others to follow, and if they ship internationally to any of these locations then they are in violation of their laws.

I located MSDS for the breakdown of the ingredients which comprise this overall ingredient and they stipulate the same under manufacturing conditions....blah, blah, blah...you know the "may cause" or "may be irritating" or "may blowup" (just kidding to a point, reference would actually be "flashpoint") I think I have explained these results to death in previous articles.

In Speaking With John Gormley

I decided to place a phone call to Grant Industries in regard to this new ingredient and posed the questions about its' composition breakdown as laid out above.

I found our conversation to be thorough, informative and extremely enlightening. He extended me professional courtesy and was very friendly in dealing with some difficult questions I asked.

Apparently, John is one of the main inventors of this new ingredient and is instrumental on retaining a patent. Basically to paraphrase here, he informed me the entire name for this ingredient is actually how it is applied for in INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) and it is a Copolymer of the entire chain of ingredients in a single form. There is no individual breakdown of this ingredient as I have done here. He further explained that this name is actually the abbreviated version and it is a much longer descriptive. Unfortunately, a name can be misinterpreted as it has similar connotations of other chemicals on the market as was pointed out to him by others in the industry. He continued to explain that through this encapsulation within the polymer, since it is completely encased, then there is no physical safety issue to the consumer or fear of it being absorbed by the skin.

When I inquired further about the use of artificial dyes and the concern for safety in this regard, he again explained they are all fused together in the polymer making them safe. Since I am aware that polymers are long chains of monomers, then this would be a way to infuse it as one very long ingredient name and I find no basis to disagree on his points. He did however, concede to the confusion about the context of this ingredient and how it may be broken down and perceived by the consumer or makeup manufacturer based on the name similarities.

How will Campaign For Safe Cosmetics See It?

Eventually the watchdog groups such as Environmental Working Group and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics will render an analysis of this ingredient. There will come a time these entities will have a field day with the composition of this very confusing new ingredient brought to market. Based on past behavior, indicates future behavior, and it won't matter to them that colors are encapsulated, if they have a rating on FD&C colorants (and they do) then they will be sure to incorporate that rating separately into their ingredient profile.

As a formulator it was easy to understand as he explained it. However, I did point out that though he claims this ingredient is not meant to be broken down and is a complete chain of monomers to make a single indentifiable ingredient, the EWG and the self appointed consumer protection agency for bad things in our cosmetics, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics will draw their own conclusions. It is literally ingredients such as this one which make our jobs tougher at further educating consumers and rebuffing the attacks by CFSC. Most of their information is Black and White and they view most ingredients as harmful to some level.

Will they be correct in their assessments? In most cases....NO! As many of my readership already knows this group cherry picks information and scrutinizes ingredients unfairly with (eventually refuted) biased reporting containing large data gaps on most every ingredient they dislike.

However, with that addressed, I would also add, that even though the information is new to the industry which occurs with anything going under a patent, there is little to no real information about this ingredient except what is provided by the manufacturer.

Is this a bad thing? Not necessarily! In fact they may be actually providing an outstanding product for revolutionizing the makeup industry.

John did provide me with recommended ratios for formulation and it should remain under 5% to total formula. Apparently this gives a slight fluorescent effect to the skin for giving a beautiful luminous glow to the face and holds up very well outdoors in natural light. However, he warned about using it out in nightclubs in a higher ratio such as in a finishing veils, as some are selling this, since it can make the face appear whitish or with the colorants can get a black light effect. This could be really cool and fun for makeup application for the younger set, but a big no no for us older gals. Steering clear of this in the form of a finishing powder is best since we don't need Halloween year round!

Product Liability To Formulators

He also stated it was up to the formulator purchasing Polymethylsilsesquioxane/Benzimidazole Diamond Copolymer to have knowledge about the colorants and what countries ban them, and that they are in no way responsible for how it is distributed or for purposes of a specific use by these cosmetic manufacturers. He advised me until such time as the issue could be resolved with better answers to this concern on colorants, if I decided to try the powder in my formulas, to stick with just the white and add my own Iron oxides. The colorants were an idea for making the powders a bit fun along with some subtle color correction for problematic or aging skin and were advised by the color ingredient distributor as being safe. However, he recently learned of the controversy over these colorants and was not something he preferred either. Not sure if there is a plan in the works to revamp those with the questionable FD&C Dyes.

On one major point he addressed! We as manufacturers are responsible for what we place in our products for resale, and it is up to us to be cognizant of everything we utilize in our formulas....Safety, FDA Certification and Approval. And for those that ignore compliance for making a safe product, then they are in the line of fire with what makes the Campaigns argument strong and our jobs more difficult for convincing Congress of our intentions of producing safer consumer products than the large manufacturers. We must not forget the ongoing revision of the FDA Globalization Act of 2009 we are still facing.

There are currently many mineral makeup companies actively participating in using Artificial Dyes and Lakes in their products, due in part because they purchase the ready made products this way and repackage, and then there are those that simply wish to for a more vibrant effect...say in blush, lip colors or eye shadows.

Wolf In Sheep's Clothing!

Now with the Skin Deep Data Base and the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics, (not mutually exclusive) many of those that signed the compact are shown as being in "Non-Compliance" according to them, and this emblem is now politely plastered on every participating members page.

For those that did provide a list of products, most are still in non-compliance because they fall under CFSC's prohibited or restricted ingredients list or have not met minimum requirements.

For those I did find in compliance is further confusing since many of the companies contained ingredients that fall under the campaigns restricted or prohibited ingredient list with every box checked. They literally possessed ratings that are moderate to high range. This should prove that their rating system makes no sense and is clearly a politically charged one. It really doesn't matter if you strive to have safe ingredients in your products because the campaign lists just about every ingredient in skincare as a potential to cause harm.

This entity now disparages the many independent companies that supported their cause thinking their efforts were noble, yet their actions today speak volumes as to their true agenda. What they have done to collect signatures was basically nothing more than Astroturfing. Their true agenda shines brightly as we all learned last year that their behavior is a strong indicator as a major opponent of Indie manufacturers in petitioning congress to act on creating unfair FDA legislation which will put many formulators of your favorite skincare products out of business if they get their way.

I am confident they will use this disinformation based on their made up set of rules and cherry picked data, nothing in regard to true FDA regulations or actual scientific research as is provided by CTFA or CIR, to further their argument with congress in the ongoing writing of the FDA Globalization Act of 2009.....I am very glad I withdrew my support last year....but that is another story for another time. I know one thing is for sure, many of those companies now wish they had not signed on and want their names removed, and removal is not as simple, as they are learning the hard way. I will elaborate more on this subject at a later date!

MSDS On This Ingredient

Unfortunately, the final down side to this....I requested the MSDS for this ingredient and at the present time Grant Industries was unable to provide me with a complete sheet. The only portion I received was for the Polymethylsilsesquioxane. Once the INCI is assigned for the full name, this will hopefully be remedied, however, this is in a large way making my point about dissecting this ingredient into pieces parts when the company themselves presents the data in a dissected context. What is interesting though, the FDA has already assigned it an ingredient index number before the Personal Care Products Council (formerly CTFA) has provided the INCI resource for registering it in a product as a complete name..... so go figure. As with anything new to market, the details will need some refinement and everyone getting on board with the same information. For now, it is a confusing scenario, not only for me, but for the less informed consumer.

Nothing New Really

Bottom line, spherical silicone has been used in many makeup and skincare applications for years and is not unique to this derivative. They have been shown to be safe. The diamond powder component is the only part of this ingredient that is really quite different. However one drawback is, I cannot find that these separate components have been reviewed by the CIR (Cosmetics Ingredient Review) or at cosmeticsinfo.org. In fact there isn't even anything found in the skin deep data base which I find very unusual considering they have Polymethylsilsesquioxane listed in close to 300 products.....makes you think doesn't it!

When an ingredient is perceived to have great value for a company yet I cannot find substantial information on safety and efficacy of said ingredient, then said ingredient, though novel for being first to have it in your makeup line, may only become an albatross later on as new data and discovery become evident. I always play the wait and see game and time will tell in regard to this innovative Diamond Powder.

Even though John Gormleys' explanation was thorough and informative, I also determined this would be a formulators nightmare for trying to explain it's premise and /or ingredient ramifications as in depth as he did, or to try and convince the consumer it is completely safe especially when the name has the connotation of other suspect ingredients. It will be interesting to see how CFSC and the Skin Deep Data Base determine its' safety.

I already spend 25% of my time educating and informing my customers to the use of certain ingredients to date. I can ill afford to take on one more on a daily basis until such time as it is all made simple and clear as a unique and safe ingredient according to everyone in the cosmetic industry. I particularly want to see the assessment with the CIR for any ingredient I decide to incorporate into my formulas. This could take years before any real actual studies can or will be done let alone have conclusive results.

Known Examples Of Comparisons That Work Similarly

For instance, we use Methicone which encapsulates our Mica in little spherical silicone for a soft focus and will also temporarily fill lines to give the appearance of looking younger.

Our use of Boron Nitride, also has a similar effect of blurring lines and giving a youthful appearance.

The added mineral Titanium Dioxide has light refraction brightness similar to diamonds.

In combination these ingredients create a fantastic mineral makeup for achieving the same end result making this individual ingredient no better than any other and is completely redundant to a single formulation. Now as a replacement for these ingredients then it can be a shortcut to be sure, however I don't have information on how it would work for different skin types like Boron Nitride does. I personally don't see the need to fix something if it it isn't broken and it is not something that is going to be used all by itself anyway, or at least it shouldn't be for the reasons I stated earlier.

The Real Question At Hand

Is it safe?........Based on what we know about ingredients currently being used on the market, I believe in the context by which it was explained to me and the method of use, it is very safe as polymers and silicones go. It will be interesting to see how things play out as more and more in the beauty industry incorporate it into their formulas. The jury is still out on this one with conclusion yet to unfold.

For me, this is not an ingredient I plan to incorporate into my mineral makeup formulas, as most of you know me that read my blog and use our products...if I can't pronounce it or the chemical chain of how it is formed is too long to comprehend, then why would I expect my customers to do the same.

Update 1/19/2010: There are those that have expressed to me in an email, this ingredient can easily be called Lumiere, and this explanation is a "cop out" and just being populist .....

But hey, the reality is, I can't put it on my label that way can I?......to those that profess a level of expertise yet professional courtesy becomes lost by making such a comment, should also be cognizant of FDA Labeling Regulations. Trade names are not allowed whereby the customer is going to read the very long chemical INCI name on a product label as required by law. So this comment is counterproductive and served no other purpose other than to be condescending in tone when dealing with the facts of this article.

I'll be keeping my eye on this one, as time will tell to be sure!

Have a great weekend everyone! Christmas is close at hand!

Breakfast- Comme les Français

The ritual of breakfast (or le petit déjeuner) in France is a very important one. Growing up in California, breakfast was certainly important, but never held much of a ritualistic value. I would usually scarf down a bowl of Cheerios or a piece of toast and call it a morning. Things, I would discover, were very different in Paris.

Monsieur Chic got up very early every morning to go to work (long before I would get up). He would rise for breakfast at 5:45am and be out the door by 6:30am. Madame Chic would rise before him and have his breakfast prepared by the time he got up(remember Famille Chic was very traditional- in fact I probably could have called them Famille Traditionnelle!) And as you can probably already imagine, breakfast chez Famille Chic was more than a piece of toast and a cup of coffee.

I discovered this on my first morning in the house. After getting ready for the day I walked timidly back to the kitchen (breakfast was the only meal served in the kitchen- the rest were strictly dining room only). There I heard the soft hum of the radio and the gentle clanking of dishes. Madame Chic made a comment about how I must like to faire la grasse matinée (sleep in). I remember looking at my watch and it being only 7:30am (and thinking, 'she doesn't know from sleeping in!')

Instead of saying that, however, I smiled politely as Madame Chic ushered me to the tiny kitchen table, which was adorned with a plethora of delicate little food items. She asked if I preferred tea or coffee (tea in the morning, merci) and she proceeded to pour my steaming cup of Ceylon tea into a breakfast bowl. Oui, you read that correctly- a breakfast bowl.

Yes, I thought perhaps I had gone mad or that the jet lag was getting to me or maybe Madame Chic ran out of teacups but the following day I noticed it again. In the morning, tea was drunk chez Famille Chic out of breakfast bowls. And it wasn’t just Famille Chic, I learned that most French people drink their morning beverage out of bowls. I found this quirky little ritual charming and decided to just go with it. After all, when in Paris...

Along with the tea (served ceremoniously in a bowl) a typical breakfast would include:

-a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice

-fromage blanc (a delightful fresh 'cheese' with similar consistency to yogurt that can be eaten with a sprinkling of sugar)

-a slice from last night's fruit tart (usually apple, cherry or strawberry- homemade by Madame Chic)

-toasted baguette with butter and jam (the jam was always homemade- strawberry, raspberry and orange marmalade were her favorites)

-a selection of cold meats (this was rare- but welcome from me as I like to have a little protein in the morning…)

I grew to adore those little breakfasts- they were a welcome departure from the dry cereal or heavy bacon and eggs I was used to. I was grateful to partake of those little delicacies every morning (I still miss my fromage blanc!) and enjoy my bowl of tea, the quiet hum of the radio and those lovely little moments shared with Madame Chic.

**Madame Chic served her tea out of a marvelous yellow tea pot. I found an almost identical one in England last year (pictured above) and had to have it for nostalgia purposes.

My Top Ten Films of the Decade- #4 The Dreamers

The Dreamers, released in 2003 and directed by Bernardo Bertolucci is my fourth favorite film of the decade. (**Disclaimer** Do not watch this film with your parents or your children unless you like being extremely uncomfortable. Only watch this film with cinema snobs that have a particularly open mind).

The Dreamers is a film that might be disturbing to some as it explores explicit sexual and philosophical themes (I, however, happen to find that stuff rather interesting). It takes place in 1968 Paris and follows brother and sister Isabelle and Théo (played by Eva Green and Louis Garrel) and their misadventures with American exchange student Matthew (played by Michael Pitt).

The three bright young things are idealistically obsessed with art and cinema and hide away together determined to escape the unstable reality that was the 1968 student rebellions in France. A bizarre love triangle is formed that ultimately forces them to escape their escapism and face a stark reality…

This film was sexy, disturbing, fascinating and ultimately unforgettable… a modern masterpiece from the visionary director Bernardo Bertolucci…

Won’t you stay tuned for my number three pick? This is getting good…

Recent Beauty Loves

I love Sephora and sometimes am alarmed by the warm, fuzzy feeling I get when I walk through those black and white striped columns. Is that normal? What is it about beauty products that so easily elevates my mood? A glamorous lipstick, a compact little pot of rouge and my heart starts to flutter... But anyway, that is neither here nor there. I purchased four little gems and want to share them with you…

1. YSL Rouge Pure Shine lipstick in Natural Pink 24. Mon Dieu. This is the Holy Grail of nude lip color for my skin tone. I have been searching for it forever- years maybe! I took a gamble by purchasing it without trying it on (as I refuse to try any sample in Sephora for fear of catching a disease) but this color is silky, neutral and brilliant. If you have a medium/ tan skin tone this might look divine on you!

2. Lorac Blush in Soul. I really love Lorac’s blushes. I have used the shade Plum for years now (and was contemplating just sticking with it- I love it so much) but decided to branch out and chose Soul- which is a dusty rose with a very subtle shimmer. I really love this color- it’s great for winter and adds just the right hint of drama to the cheeks.

3. DiorShow Mascara Backstage Makeup in Black. This was recommended by The Coastal Chicster who has impeccable taste, so I thought I’d give it a try. I really love the drama it creates with my lashes- it's a sophisticated mascara and I'm really enjoying it.

4. And lastly, we all knew it was coming, YSL Parisienne. You read my raving review for this glamorous perfume here. I love this scent- it is my new favorite and smelling it on my wrist brings me joy throughout the day.

I would love to know what your beauty loves are this month…


All of the above products can be purchased at www.sephora.com

Thank You

When someone in your family’s health is jeopardized it seems like nothing else matters. This is the situation I found myself in this week and I am so happy to report that after many doctor’s visits the scare is over and everything seems to be okay.

Thank you so much for all of your kind words and support over the past few days- I can’t help but think they had something to do with the happy ending to my family’s situation.

I have made the decision to stay in California for Christmas and will probably move my England trip to sometime in the Spring. Thankfully being married to an Englishman, this wasn’t my last chance to experience Christmas in England- there's always next year...

I am, of course, sad to not be going on my trip (after all I have been blogging, twittering and yammering on about it for the past few weeks)- and my well-packed suitcases are still at the foot of my bed longing to see London again, but things in life can’t always be planned and I think it’s important to be able to adapt to any situation with a positive attitude.

This week has put things in perspective for me and I am so grateful for my family, friends and blogging community- life is so much more wonderful with you in it.

Thank you...

xxx

How To Extend A Lip Glaze Video, Announcements And Some Fun

IT IS HERE!

The holiday season is upon us and this is a time of year where I get a bit giddy and really enjoy the season of cheer!

Thanksgiving Day sets my ball in motion for baking, decorating, visiting all the gala events in downtown Boise, see the lighting of trees and the tree festival.

All the beautiful colors entice me and it is the only time in the winter, I grin and bear the wicked cold to venture out and see all the goodies and lights the city has to offer.

When the kids were little, we used to decorate up the house inside and out for a truly memorable experience for them....and if it snowed, it was a huge bonus. Most gifts were under the tree by the close of Thanksgiving weekend. To add to our cheer we began the neverending playing of Christmas Carols and watching National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story. These vivid memories were never so true in both of these movies. Just Love Them!

Now it is a new season for us, as empty nesters we go visit the kids in their homes to partake in good cheer and holiday fun.

This year we spent Thanksgiving at my daughter, Frances' house. It is her first home so she was excited to have us over without the intrusion of a room mate. She worked so hard to get to this point since room mates became fickle and less dependable on doing their share of the work and completing financial commitment to their landlords over the years. Her face glows now when you see her in her own home.

We enjoyed each others company, chowed down on some great food, and watched our favorite Thanksgiving video, Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

In keeping of the spirit of the Holidays, I decided to shoot a short video of my family during Thanksgiving Day and share it with my friends and subscribers. Just us, as we settle down to a day of fun and laughter. Of course my family was slightly more reserved than me, but I've become a seasoned pro since launching my YouTube page. ;~) However toward the end of the evening you'll see them feeling a bit more relaxed, just a bit though! (Grin) Hope you enjoy it!



If you are unable to see this due to RSS feed or email, please Click Here to visit the YouTube clip.

New Product Photos On Display!

Finally got the new Grecian Secret Body Souffle Photos up and the main one looks good enough to eat....certainly tempting, but smooth on your body instead for a soothing sensation and bask in the essential oil blends of a very relaxing memory they may invoke.











These are selling like crazy and will make great Christmas Gifts or a gift to yourself for the holidays for that little eccentricity for working so hard and taking care of your family all year long.









Having Fun With New Applications For Friends and Subscribers

In keeping of the spirit of feeling giddy, I decided to add a FAN page for my Business and I placed a link in several locations for easy sign up. The FAN page is located within FACEBOOK. The fastest growing social media Group on the internet next to Twitter. You can also follow me on Twitter if you like. All sign ups are fast and easy and you can give as little information about yourself as you want.

Facebook does require real names of users though in accordance with their policies...so no pseudo names, or nicknames or email titles...it will need to be YOU but you still control the level of privacy you wish. And the best part is you can begin to use their awesome applications to keep in touch with friends and family from all over the globe. Facebook for me personally, is my most favorite media tool since interactive responses are so fast.

Benefits Of Becoming A FAN

If you would like to become a FAN you can Click Here or sign up at My Website or in the sidebar of my blog. I decided this would be an excellent way to get immediate business updates on mineral cosmetics and skincare specials, promos and other fun things out to my subscribers for instant gratification since my blog articles are typically just once a week.

I plan on doing different things which some will only be available to FAN page guests and YouTube subscribers (My YouTube) and provide benefits that only a subscriber can receive since I don't plan on publishing the same on my website....these will be exclusive offers to my special guests! They will also never run simultaneously. I haven't quite figured out the context for YouTube, but I assure you I will try to make it fun and entertaining. I also plan to incorporate others into my videos for tutorials and to bring in more of my family and our daily lives as we progress into the Holiday traditions of family, friends and fun.

So I hope you'll join us and I'll see you soon at one of these media venues!

If you should have any questions about these media outlets, leave a comment here or write to me and I'll do what I can to assist you in joining the one of your choice.

Extending The Life Of A Lip Glaze

I also produced recently a video on how to extend the life of your Sterling Minerals Lip Glazes and other commercial brands. It is a great way to keep from throwing out that last bit of the "bottom of the tube color" that we just can't seem to quite reach with those wands. Again, if you can't see this below you can visit My YouTube Page for the Featured Video.



Techie Tip: Some may find they aren't able to view videos at all...simple fix, you'll need to install Adobe's Active X app to view youtube. You may be concerned about doing this based on all the virus warnings and spyware you are always hearing about.....this is a trusted site and this app is safe. It is in all computer software installs from MAC's to Windows 2000 and up, you simply need to give it an update and that is all that is required. So don't worry about using this upgrade. You Tube will provide you with the software update when you arrive at their page.

Well that's it for bringing you a day in my life and the latest updates for Sterling Minerals Cosmetics.

Have fun this holiday season and Merry Christmas. I am off to decorate the tree today. Cheers or should I say HO...HO...HO....'tis the season!

Update

Dear Readers,

I have had to postpone my trip to England due to a family emergency. My husband is flying back to join me at home (he has been in London the past two weeks for business).

Thank you for your understanding during this time. I will return to The Daily Connoisseur as soon as I can.

Love,

Jennifer xx

We Feel Fine published today!

overwhelmed but fighting back, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

"After nearly 3 years of hard work we are so very happy to announce that We Feel Fine: An Almanac of Human Emotion is in stores starting today. "

My blogpost and pic were pulled by the We Feel Fine webcrawler looking for people blogging about their emotions. I gave my permission to include the image in the book in preparation, and now it's finally available! Click here to view "my" page!

wire flowers

d13/32 - silver daisy chain, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Over the last 24 hours I have made almost 30 of these delicate little flowers.
Tomorrow I will spend wiring them onto chain or making them into earrings.

..... and then I want to do something completely different!

The Art of Packing- London, Winter 2009

I am leaving shortly for my month long trip to England and I am so excited! (Even though I just checked the weather report and there is no end in sight to the rain… oh well…)

In the past when I have traveled I’ve explored the art of packing and this trip is no different. Being away for an entire month in a very wintry climate poses some challenges to someone who likes to pack in a streamlined and minimalistic fashion (sweaters, boots and outerwear can be so bulky!)- But I think I managed to accomplish this task and packed the right items.

I actually started to pack my suitcase last week. I like to do this when I'm going on a long trip so that I have an entire week to evaluate what can go and what can stay. So, for one month I have packed…

1 black wool trench coat
1 black velvet blazer
4 cashmere sweaters (one v-neck, two crewnecks and one cardigan)
2 cashmere t-shirts
2 pairs of jeans (one black, one dark denim)
1 pair of black slacks
10 lightweight t-shirts and tank tops in neutral colors for layering
1 black wool skirt
2 dresses
4 silk blouses (to pair with skirt or slacks for dressier occasions)
1 scarf
1 pair black knee high flat boots
1 pair black suede high-heeled ankle boots
2 pairs ballet flats (both in patent leather)
1 pair heels

I am not including dresses for Christmas and New Years Eve as I think I'll have more fun purchasing those abroad...

Above I've pictured the smaller of my two bags. This one will be full of Christmas presents for everyone in England (and will come in handy as an extra empty case on the way back)...

If you find yourself traveling this holiday season... may your luggage be merry and light! xx

My Top Ten Films of the Decade- #5 Y Tu Mamá También

My fifth favorite movie of the decade is 2001's Y Tu Mamá También (And Your Mother Too) directed by Alfonso Cuarón. It takes place in Mexico in the year 1999 and explores the coming of age of two teenage boys: Julio (Gael García Bernal) and Tenoch (Diego Luna).

The boys find themselves bored one summer after their girlfriends leave for an Italian vacation and decide to go on a road trip with Luisa (Maribel Verdú), a mysterious older woman that they meet at a wedding. The three go in search of a secluded beach called la boca del cielo (heaven’s mouth). Class issues, sexuality, mortality and loyalty are the themes explored in this explosive (and I'm talking explosive), seductive tale that ultimately is a celebration of life and all of the passion that goes along with it.

This film will have you measuring your mortality and sizing up the amount of passion in your life... two things that are probably good to do every now and then don't you think?

I hope you'll stay tuned for my #4 pick...

blackstone and sterling cufflinks

blackstone and sterling cufflinks, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Making more of these today - it's been a while since I tackled some new cufflinks but I'm finding the wire wrapping strangely satisfying after spending so long on crocheting with it.
Even the sawing of chain links is going well enough.

Anyways, all you local ebb and flo fans - see you at Dunbar Community Centre this Saturday for the bumper craft fair (see links on left for details).

wordless wednesday

yawns or chuckles?, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

i am the mediator of my own happiness
... but sometimes it sneaks up on me unannounced
:)

YSL Parisienne- A Perfume Review

It has been a while since I have fallen in love with a scent. As some of you know the two scents I wear the most are Stella and Narciso Rodriguez For Her. This past summer I purchased Stella Sheer- the limited edition summer version of the original Stella and fell in love with that (and almost cried when I couldn’t get another bottle… it’s long gone- I should have bought two!).

So I am over the moon that Yves Saint Laurent’s new fragrance, Parisienne has hit the shelves because I have sampled it twice now and have literally fallen in love with it! Parisienne is a very feminine scent- and a mysterious one at that. Its main notes are composed of blackberry, damask rose and sandalwood.

At first spray Parisienne is delightful with a heavy sandalwood note but the dry down is where it holds all of its mystery. The blackberry note is much stronger in the dry down and I think I detected notes of… dare I say… Dr. Pepper? I know, I have probably lost the plot but there you have it. I detect Dr. Pepper in the dry down and I am not ashamed to admit that I love it! (It’s a sensual Dr. Pepper... if there can be such a thing).

The commercial for the scent stars Kate Moss writhing in a bed of silk sheets and damask roses with the Eifel tower in the background- and yes that pretty much sums it up. YSL’s Parisienne is a sensual, naughty fragrance. One that I am delighted to have found. I plan on purchasing my very own bottle next week at duty free!

I would love to know what perfume or cologne you’ve fallen in love with recently…