Last-Minute Mother's Day Gift Guide

I know many of you are last-minute shoppers so I've put together a Mother's Day gift guide. There's something for everybody, so I hope this helps!

If you're thinking about jewelry, Viv&Ingrid is having a sweet Mother’s Day sale. They’re offering a 25% discount on all online orders. Just use the promo code vimom25 at www.vivandingrid.com (sale ends May 10). I think these Gold Lattice Hoops with Light Blue Quartz make a great pick, don't you?
Viv&Ingrid Gold Lattice Hoops with Light Blue Quartz

Linnea's Lights has some beautiful hand-poured soy candles. They're eco-friendly, smell awesome and last a long time. Some of the featured Mother's Day scents are: Blue Agave, Linden, Magnolia, Tuberose and Sweetgrass. The charming Magnolia is enticing with a hint of peach and the Blue Agave is just pretty with soft woods and lily.

Rodial skincare has a great 'facelift in a box' for moms with tired skin. The LA Facelift box features five star products (A-List Cleanser, Glam Balm, Glamtox Peel, Glamtox and Glamtox Eye Light) to lift, firm and smooth the skin. This starter kit is also great for travel.

Quady wines are affordable gifts for the gourmet mom. Crisp and refreshing, the award-winning Electra is a super delicious orange muscat wine. It's also low in alcohol (4%) so you and Mom can indulge in a few glasses if you like! Order directly at quadywinery.com.

For another budget-friendly gift, Victoria's Secret has some fun lip glosses and lipsticks that won't break the bank. My picks are the Brilliant Lip Shine, VS Makeup Sheer Gloss Stick (Grace shade) and the VS Makeup Sparkling Lipstick (On Fire shade).

Lastly, for the locals, SenSpa in San Francisco is offering moms a pampering weekend of makeovers, aromatherapy and other treats. From May 8th to May 9th, when you schedule your mom a SenZen Deluxe Facial she'll be treated to a free 30-minute BECCA makeover with SenSpa's resident makeup artist. Guests will also receive a new BECCA lipstick as a gift. You can also book a 15-minute complimentary aromatherapy session, and your mom will receive a 4-ounce bottle of ylang-ylang bath salts. All moms will also receive a special SenSpa goody bag.

For editorial consideration, a product sample was provided for this review.

Vosges Haut-Chocolat: Sweet Mother's Day Treats

There's only one week left to shop for Mother's Day, so don't forget to pick up some goodies from Vosges Haut-Chocolat. They have lots of yummy gifts that will warm Mom's heart.

The Les Fleurs du Chocolat collection is a spring season special, so definitely get this unique truffle assortment. This box features four flower-themed flavors: Rose, Marigold, Orchid, and Nasturtium. My fave is the delicious Siam truffle (jasmine green tea, lemongrass, fresh coconut, white chocolate and organic marigold petal).

If you want to go deluxe, the Exotic Caramel Collection 4-Tier Hatbox is the way to go. Soft buttery caramels flirt with exotic ingredients such as Mexican guajillo chillies, Argentinean dulce de leche, tupelo honey and Aboriginal anise myrtle. If Mom likes her caramels, she will adore this extravagant collection. Yum!

 

You have until Friday May 7 (3pm Central Time) to order your gifts at vosgeschocolate.com. Of course, if you want to avoid the overnight shipping fee, try to get it in earlier.

For editorial consideration, a product sample was provided for this review.

HOTmilk - Sexy Mother's Day Gifts

For all you hot mamas out there, here's something to add to your Mother's Day wish list. If you're expecting a wee little one, HOTmilk is a sexy line of maternity lingerie that will make all new and expecting moms feel extra beautiful.

She Craved A Little Decadence soft cup microfiber bra and bikini set

From camisoles to bras, you'll feel totally gorgeous as you slip into these ultra-comfy and seductive pieces. Their collection includes low-rise G strings, french knickers and soft microfiber nighties. Most of the designs feature cute little ruffles, pretty lace panels and ribbon accents, so you'll look and feel like a goddess. The best part is that you can still wear them long after the pregnancy. How's that for a bargain?

Ruffle My Feathers lace and cotton camisole

If you go on their website, there's a 'Men Only' section to help the guys shop for their ladies. So go ahead, send a hint to your darling so you can get some much-deserved goodies!

For more styles, check out www.hotmilklingerie.co.nz.

 For editorial consideration, a product sample was provided for this review.

Spring Getaway: The Carneros Inn

Despite the short bursts of rain, springtime in the Bay Area is just plain gorgeous. I took advantage of the warm weather and did another quick jaunt to wine country recently. If you're planning a weekend here, you should make The Carneros Inn your home base.

This sprawling property has all the comforts of wine country, coupled with a modern touch. Their infinity edged Hilltop Pool overlooks the nearby idyllic vineyards and you can even feed the horses!

Each of their 86 individual cottages offer all the privacy you need for an intimate and relaxing getaway. You can meditate in your private garden, or take an outdoor shower after sunbathing in the patio area. Some of the cottages also have an outdoor fireplace and soaking tub. In the evenings, you can actually hear the frogs and crickets chirping outside.

If you do plan to stay here, there's a 'Third Night Free' promo going on and the 'Treat Yourself' package includes a complimentary breakfast for two. I also recommend dining at FARM, their on-site restaurant. The food was delicious - I loved my duck breast entree and the desserts are pretty impressive. At the very least, you have to try their famous donuts from The Boon Fly Cafe.

thecarnerosinn.com

For editorial consideration, a press visit was arranged for this review.

Mother's Day Chocolates From Recchiuti Confections

Mother's Day is about two weeks away, but that doesn't mean you should procrastinate on getting your dear mum a nice gift. If she loves chocolate, Recchiuti Confections has a few new items that will make her smile.

The new Caramels to the Third Power (C3 Box) is the ultimate gourmet treat for caramel lovers. Be prepared to be blissed out, as this box contains the popular Fleur de Sel caramels and two new delicious flavors (butterscotch and dark chocolate). These little bites are quite deceiving - they're so rich and flavorful that sometimes one bite will really do. Of course, if you feel like indulging you can always have another one or two. Or three...

The new Spring Motif truffle box is another wonderful gift option. Pretty little butterflies adorn eight pieces of the signature Burnt Caramel truffle. These are almost too beautiful to eat, but if you've tried them before, they'll be gone in a flash.

Follow Recchiuti on Twitter (twitter.com/recchiuti) to receive their discount shopping codes. For SF locals, if you're going to their Ferry Building shop this weekend (4/24-4/25), just mention “MARKET” for a 30% discount on their Lemon Verbena Box!

www.recchiuti.com

For editorial consideration, a product sample was provided for this review.

Earth Day Giveaway: Lancome Juicy Tubes 100% Natural Origin

Lancôme’s iconic Juicy Tubes is turning 10 this year. To celebrate this beauty milestone, they've launched Juicy Tubes 100% Natural Origin, a limited-edition lip gloss collection. The preservative-free formula contains Hungarian honey, royal jelly extract, beeswax and shea butter to hydrate your lips. The pigments (annatto and carmine) are also 100% natural origin.

For Earth Day 2010, they're partnering with Lancôme spokesmodel Elettra Wiedemann’s charity, Justonefrickinday.com. Its latest project will raise funds to install Solar Electric Panels that will provide sustainable power to a hospital in Burundi.

NYC shoppers: from April 22^nd - April 25^th, anyone who purchases Juicy Tubes 100% Natural Origin at the Lancôme Boutique on the Upper West Side will receive a complimentary limited-edition designer T-shirt. Lancôme will also make a donation to Justonefrickinday.com.

While you're at the boutique, don't forget to check out their new summer makeup. I really like the oversized Tropiques Minérale Bamboo Bronzer in Temptingly Bronze. I thought it might be a bit dark on me, but the bronze and gold colors gave a healthy natural glow. The bamboo motif is also real pretty and the full-face mirror is always helpful. Pop this into your beach bag and you'll be all good to go.

 

Giveaway Time!

In honor of Earth Day, we're giving away one Juicy Tubes 100% Natural Origin lip gloss and two limited-edition T-shirts (created by fashion designers Rogan and Giambattista Valli) to help champion Elettra’s cause.

To Enter:

Step 1: Tweet this post on Twitter (RT @feteafete Lancome Earth Day Giveaway http://tinyurl.com/2734ddm). IF you don't have a Twitter account, leave a comment below on which gloss shade you'd like to try (please don't send generic ones like 'this sounds cool').

Step 2: Email your name & mailing address to feteafeteswag@gmail.com. Please enter 'Lancome Earth Day Giveaway' in the subject line and your unlocked Twitter link in the body. DO NOT forget to email your name & address after you comment or tweet, or you'll be disqualified automatically!

One winner will be chosen at random. Deadline is Monday, April 26, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. USA residents only. Good luck!

To see the new Juicy Tubes collection, go to www.lancome-usa.com.

For editorial consideration, a product sample was provided for this review. Product giveaway sponsored by Lancome.

The 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival (4/22-5/6)

If you're a film lover and you live in the SF Bay Area, the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival is starting tomorrow (April 22 - May 6). The largest film event in SF, this year's festival program is showcasing 177 films over a span of fifteen days. I'm very excited to see that Jean-Pierre Jeunet's "Micmacs" will be the opening night film. I'm also planning to see the romantic drama "Cairo Time" next week (starring Patricia Clarkson).

Jean-Pierre Jeunet's "Micmacs." Courtesy of San Francisco Film Society.

Here are a few picks for the festival:

"The Portuguese Nun" - The beautiful Lisbon scenes and moving fado music make this film worth seeing.  Julie (Leonor Baldaque), a young French actress working in the Portuguese capital, examines the many forms of love and happiness as she wanders around the city. Director Eugène Green has a unique way of evoking the same nostalgic yearning in each scene. You can feel it as fallen leaves swirl along the cobblestone sidewalk, on the ancient walls and even at desolate street corners. The actors adapt a strange, stilted dialogue and their way of looking directly at the camera is a bit startling, but it does work and you leave the theater with your own feelings of saudade.

A scene from Eugène Green's "The Portuguese Nun." Courtesy of San Francisco Film Society.

"Around a Small Mountain" - After accepting Kate's (Jane Birkin) invitation to see her family's circus performance, a wealthy Italian traveler (Sergio Castellano) is seduced by the nomadic circus life and postpones his Barcelona trip. As he follows the troupe from town to town, he finds his place on the stage and discovers Kate's melancholic past. The sleepy French countryside provides a calming counterpoint as we watch the heroine struggle to escape her inner demons.

Jane Birkin and Sergio Castellano in Jacques Rivette's "Around A Small Mountain." Courtesy of San Francisco Film Society.

"Woman on Fire Looks for Water" - Yearning and regret are the major themes in this meditative look at life in a Malaysian fishing village. Sensing the approach of death, the elder Ah-kau attempts to rekindle a lost love while his son Ah-fei navigates his first romantic relationship. Ah-fei's love interest refuses to marry him until he earns a solid income, bringing us the age-old struggles of attaining economic power and social status. Director Woo Ming-jin shows a lot of promise with this tender and quietly resonating film.

Woo Ming-jin's "Woman on Fire Looks for Water." Courtesy of San Francisco Film Society.

"Littlerock" - Embarking on their first U.S. road trip, a Japanese brother and sister get stranded in a California desert town. Despite the language barrier Atsuko is enchanted with the small town and decides to spend a few days with the local youths. She soon gets caught in a love triangle while Rintaro discovers the not-so-pleasant side of the Golden State. 

Mike Ott's "Littlerock." Courtesy of SFFS.

"Empire of Silver" - Christina Yao's film debut is a visual treat in many ways. Set in China's Shanxi province, this epic tale of the powerful Kang family deals with war, love and succession within their vast banking empire. Sharing a small but important part of Chinese history, Yao's style is reminiscent of the Chinese Fifth Generation filmmakers. Fans of Hong Kong pop star Aaron Kwok will be thrilled to see him in the role of Third Master. Jennifer Tilly also appears in a supporting role.

Aaron Kwok and Hao Lei in Christina Yao's "Empire of Silver." Courtesy of San Francisco Film Society.

For more info and to purchase tickets, go to: fest10.sffs.org/

Welcome to my new blog design!

I must apologize for not posting regularly. During the past two weeks I've been working hard on a new blog design with a dear friend, and it's been an incredible collaboration. It's a huge honor to have the lovely Delphine Doreau (of Non dairy Diary) lend an artistic hand, as I was in dire need of a website upgrade. I hope you like it!

 Copyright 2009 Delphine Doreau & del4yo

Feel free to check out Delphine's incredibly adorable and whimsical blog. She also just started a new "Petit Pot de Creme" section, so do take a peek. You might be inspired to try a crafty project or two!

Merci beaucoup Delphine!

Lancome Color Design Matte Lipstick & L'Absolu Creme de Brillance

I've never been a fan of most matte lipsticks because they tend to dry out my lips after a few hours of application. I was also a bit skeptical when Lancome announced the launch of their new Color Design Matte Lipstick, but now I'm lovin' it. For a matte lipstick this new formula is probably one of the creamiest textures I've tried. It glides on effortlessly and the high pigment levels last for hours. It's also pretty transfer-resistant, so you can smooch anyone you want without ruining your makeup (no more air kisses!). The other cool lip product I like is the L’Absolu Crème de Brillance Visibly Replenishing and Reshaping Lip Cream. A cross between a gloss and a balm, this creamy lip cream delivers up to 10 hours of intense hydration. The formula contains ingredients (Pro-Xylane™ and hyaluronic acid) that are typically used in skincare, so it's like a lip gloss and moisturizer, all in one tube. I love the Exotic Orchid shade. It's absolutely perfect on me. Check out the Rose Mythique shade that Kate Winslet wore below. L’Absolu Rouge lipstick in the same shade was layered on for a sexy and bright red lip. Color Design Matte Lipstick is currently a Macy’s exclusive - you can also get it at: www.lancome-usa.com. For editorial consideration, a product sample was provided for this review.

Click to read more ...

IFB Links à la Mode - Pretty, Pretty

Pretty, Pretty

Edited by Jennine Jacob It's official, Spring is in full swing...we've all shed our winter fluff and there's a certain buzz in the air...well, other than the pollen count. Like every week, we have a wonderful selection of links, but the recurring theme here was making ourselves pretty, whether it be donning floral prints, DIY embellishments, watercoloring, even bunny ears or refreshing the ol' makeup palette with the new season's colors. Oh, and if you're looking for something to do this summer...IFB is looking for interns! Bachman's Sparrow - Wing-Stop! DIY wing-sleeved shirt! Denimaniac - Denim Culture for the Modern Man dramatis personae - Fashion Consultation Giveaway at Style Therapy évoluer - spring flowers Fashion Pulse Daily - Avon Does Fabulous Jewelry?!? Who Knew! Fete a Fete - Guerlain 2010 Terracotta Collection hello beauty! - Bobbi Brown Spring 2010: Color Strips & Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation (with makeup video) Idiosyncratic Style - I (HEART) Toronto Fashion Week! Intrinsically Florrie - DIY bunny ears Nicky's Rag Tales - Do you need to be a bitch in the Fashion Industry to succeed? Oranges and Apples - Dig for Victory: amazing vintage inspired dresses poetic & chic - Bang Envy Influences: Anna Karina Pretty Shiny Sparkly - A Touch of Vintage & Glamour Retro Chick - Video Tutorial: Mineral Foundation sfindiefashion.com - Punk Jock: Chatting with RosenMunns style, substance & sutton - DIY Embellished Tank Sugar and spice and all things nice - How to give thoughtful presents for your girlfriends The Coveted - Poll: What do you do when your clothes don't fit? The Demoiselles - A Glossy View: Ad Campaign Curiousity The Mod One - Fashion's Future in 3D

Click to read more ...