Category Archives: LIFE + STYLE

Alexa Rodulfo BOIS DE ROSE candles. Major mood game changer.

March 25, 2011

BOIS-DE-ROSE-copy-3

Always on the hunt for candle perfection, alas, I arrive at:

ALEXA RODULFO

http://www.alexarodulfo.com/


Alexa Rodulfo’s candles have been the go-to interior accessory for connoisseurs of sophisticated fragrance and chic design.  Her latest scent debuts, BOIS NU and BOIS DE ROSE, are two extraordinarily sensual candles. True luxury items.  Alexa has personally worked with the most revered French noses in the industry to create a pas de deux of fragrances that are provocative, complex and unique. The result is at once primal and elegant, soft, yet sexy. And always evoking calmness, and pleasure.

BOIS DE ROSE is the one I'm burning now and it's literally changing the whole vibe in this kid/baby infested apartment cluttered with primary colored plastic toys that makes me want to jump off the balcony hire a live-in housekeeper that I can't afford this very second.  So not happening on two writer's budgets.  It's meant to evoke a walk in the Provençal countryside, classically feminine and alluring, but with just enough edge to keep it modern.  The bouquet of fresh mint and aromatic geranium, violet leaves, jasmine, white lily, peony petals and, of course, roses is offset by wood winds of cedar and vetiver.  I'M IN EFFEN HEAVEN!!

As Alexa describes it, “It is the feeling you have when you arrive at a place you love and there is an arrangement of fresh flowers on the table. You know you have been there before, but there is something new and beautiful that surprises you.”

The handcrafted candles are mixed and poured in Grasse, France, by the village’s world-renowned candlemakers using cotton wicks. They are then carefully poured into French glass with an elegant lead-free pewter lid, which is hand etched by artisans. Each candle burns for approximately 50 hours.

Buy it here for $69 


SEE THE LIGHT WITH JOSIE MARAN’S ARGAN ILLUMINZER

March 22, 2011

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                                          ArganIlluminizer

Josie Maran’s latest Argan Oil infused skin solution

$28

WHAT ::  An ultra-light skin-illuminator with a hint of bronze.  Gives skin a bright, radiant, lit-from-within glow.

WHY :: Created with a blendable serum-like formula, it works to brighten and bronze skin with a universally flattering glow, while natural Argan Oil conditions and restores, diminishes dark circles  and creates a  noticeably rejuvenated and refreshed appearance.

This is super-duper-glitter-shine-bronzeee.  A dab is all you need.  Feels amazing, just be careful that you go lightly with this.  It feels incredible, hard not to want to use as an all over moisturizer – but you'll look like a Christmas tree.  The illuminator is not actually glitter of course, it's just super highlight speckled, so go easy.  Mix it into moisturizer, sun block, foundation for that extra lift – that glow that makes you have that radiant from within THING.

ABOUT ARGAN OIL: From her cult favorite tinted moisturizer to her must-have mascara, Josie Maran formulates products in her naturally luxe, “chic-ological” line with Argan Oil, Morocco’s legendary skin-soothing, complexion-clearing cure-all. An antioxidant that acts as a free radical scavenger, Argan Oil protects the skin from even the most aggressive effects of the environment. Rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, Argan Oil has been shown to minimize fine lines, restore elasticity, improve skin tone, reduce inflammation and protect the skin. Gentle enough to use on all skin types, Argan Oil tones and firms as it hydrates and nourishes.

Free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes and phthalates.

 $28

WHERE :: Sephora, Sephora.com

 

 

It interior designer around town (and my personal style crush) Molly Luetkemeyer will be delivering us loot weekly!

March 17, 2011

Yup, we are lucky!

I've been losing myself in Molly's blog, a visual treasure trove of goodies, since she started it and now GROOMED LA readers can grab a sneak peek weekly of her turn ons!

 YAY!

First up – my pick –  L U C I T E.

Growing up in the 70's-80's – lucite feels like home.

It's so bad-ass.  

Here Molly discusses VASA LUCITE with us!

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A while back, I did a post on multicolored lucite.  After reading it, Rebecca (from The Reluctant Floridian) suggested I check out the work of Vasa Mihich and I am SO glad she did!  He has been making candy-colored goodies since the late sixties and I can't wait to get my hands on one.  See if you agree:

 

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I love the vibrant colors and how they morph into hybrids when viewed from different angles.  The sleekness and polish of these pieces really speaks to me right now.  All of the ones above are for sale on Vasa's site, Vasa Studio.  Here's a little backstory on the man behind the magic:

 

A senior Professor of Design at the University of California, Los Angeles, Vasa is an innovative, internationally known sculptor whose creative work explores the three dimensional interactions of light and color. With an advanced understanding of optical complexities, Vasa has become, in the words of Henry Seldis, former art critic of The Los Angeles Times, "the most sensuous and sensational colorist of the southern California artists working in plastic."

You can also find vintage pieces of his online.  I love this column from 1983 (found oneBay).  As you move around the piece, it becomes almost active – changing into new color combinations from every different vantage point.

                   Vasa3

 

And a little digging on 1st Dibs turned up this amazing table (from the fantastic shop, Fat Chance, here in LA)

 

YUM!  How great would this be in an all white living room with hot pink curtains?  I can see myself relaxing there right now (with my dogs locked outside on the deck).  Enjoy!

 

                              :: for more Molly loot go to www.mollyloot.com ::

Hey people. I’m Molly Luetkemeyer (loot-kah-my-er, just so we can get that out of the way). I have been a practicing interior designer at my firm, M. Design Interiors for the past 10 years (for the full back story, check out my about page). My ongoing mission is to guide clients to create personal, comfortable, chic homes that reflect their needs and particular tastes. No one should live in a showroom or someone else's house. Period. I am inspired by a range of sources from modern and contemporary art to nature, fashion and vintage design books to stuff I see on the street. It’s always coming at me and I want to share a little of it with you.

So take a look and always, let me know what you think atmdesigninteriors at mac dot com

 

iPad covers just got more edgy. JAGGER EDGE spikes things up.

March 15, 2011

 

                MONTANAiPAD

            Natasha just wrote me with a Crazy Covet::

I’m totally obsessed with Jagger Edge – and now Shop Bop is, too!

Check out Los Angeles-based Jagger Edge on ShopBop.com. They made the editor’s picks! I recommend rocking the floral leather and the Montana studded iPhone cover. A girl can never have too many choices.

And how sick their iPad cover?!

I wouldn’t dream of using anything else.  I’m ordering mine today before they sell out!  

xo Natasha

JAGGER EDGE

Thanks Natasha, now I must have that silver iPad cover too!

(for my free iPad, but that's another story)

http://www.jaggeredge.com/

Editor's pick on SHOPBOP.COM now.

And if you're into soft n' fluffy, this bunny is your bag::

 

BUNNYPAD