Monthly Archives: May 2012

éclos Skin Care Giveaway – #EclosBeauty

This post brought to you by éclos Skin Care. All opinions are 100% mine.

Though I’m usually loathe to being photographed sans makeup, I’ve made an exception for this post in appreciation to the good people at éclos for sending over a little kit for me to try out the nicest-smelling skincare products I’ve ever come across.

I’ve always been a bit lax with skincare because, thankfully, I’ve never really had blemishes or acne to take care of. But then I hit my thirties and realized I could no longer keep coasting – my dark circles were becoming more pronounced and there were little lines and spots I hadn’t noticed before. That basically heralded the end of what I’d hoped would be perpetually maintenance-free healthy skin – and the beginning of my quest to find the right products.

Truthfully, when this little box arrived from éclos, I had three different brands sitting in my bathroom, all sort of pulling their weight but not really doing anything to gain permanent residence. Without sounding like too much of an infomercial, once I actually tried the plant-based beauty line, I was convinced I’d keep them around for a long time.

If you’ve never heard of them before, éclos products are made with Plant Stem Cells extracted from a rare Swiss apple (Uttwiler Spätlauber), which has shown tremendous “ability to stimulate skin stem cells, encouraging aging skin to behave like younger skin.”

I gave it a chance for a week and tried: the Facial Cleanser Skin Prep, Cellular Activator Face Serum, Moisture Therapy Regenerative Eye Cream, and the Instant Radiance Facial Scrub (use once daily, every other day). Aside from loving the way it smells (I wanted to eat it), the amazing thing about these products is that they don’t feel harsh on your skin like other cleansers and exfoliators I’ve tried. As I said before, I’m not really a fan of posting makeup-free pics, but I seriously think I’m a little more glow-y in the “after” pic, and the fact that my dark circles are pretty tame here does wonders for my self-esteem. Really. I feel as though I should be splashing water on my face while really upbeat music plays in the background.

 

 

THE GIVEAWAY:

One lucky reader will get a full éclos Skin Care kit to try for themselves by completing these two really easy tasks:

1) Leave a comment on this post telling me which product you’re most excited to try

2) Like the Bubbles & Ink Facebook page if you haven’t already

See? Easy. Contest runs through Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Winner will be selected at random and announced on Friday morning. Best of luck to you all!

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MMIFW ’12 Recap

Another day, another fashion week in Miami. Miami Metropolitan International Fashion Week (say that three times fast) made its debut last night at LMNT in Midtown, just a couple of months after Miami Beach International Fashion Week wrapped its shows. And while both aim to make a name for Miami in the fashion-sphere, MMIFW hopes to distinguish itself by focusing on “designers that are on the cusp” of recognition. Though that remains as yet to be seen, you can still indulge in pics from last night’s events from the perspective of my plastic wine cup. *Clink*

P.S. Did you spot the potential future Housewife?

P.P.S. Props to the student designers for strutting their stuff last night. Here’s to hoping your names become household fodder.

Year Two

Today I’m excited to celebrate year two of the blog and all that’s come along with it. When I started Bubbles & Ink, it was nothing more than a hobby – something for my friends and family to see what I was up to. Two years later, I’m so grateful for everyone who’s decided to keep reading and all the amazing opportunities that have come of it.

To celebrate, I rounded up some of my favorite posts from the past couple of years. Just click on the pic and it’ll take you to the original post. I hope you enjoy reminiscing as much as I did. And if there’s something you’d like to see more of, let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear what you’d like to see in year three. Thanks for reading… xxoo

 

 

 


BaubleBar + Man Repeller

In some very titillating arm party news, BaubleBar announced yesterday that it has launched a festive collaboration with Leandra Medine of Man Repeller. The collab consists of a personalized five bracelet set curated for you based on your answers to some questions. Personally, I keep wondering how I can answer in a way that fills my mailbox with glittery skulls, but that seems to be my mission all around as of late. Get your own set here for $50.

 

 

P.S. Thanks to BaubleBar and Man Repeller for the use of these fab images and that festively familiar term, “arm party”.

Cheap & Chic: Accessories

My accessories addiction has led me to four sites that make me want to stock up on one of each. These online shops have items that will update your wardrobe without making a major investment in whatever trend you’re into. Click on the pics below to support small businesses while updating your wardrobe on a lean budget.

 

 

In this post:

1) Spike the Punch

2) Gypsy Warrior

3) Pop of Chic

4) Hello Berry Inc

Proenza Schouler Private Sale Tomorrow

Here’s your chance to score some Proenza Schouler for a discounted price – but only tomorrow, May 16th. Read on for more details on this rare opportunity.

What you need to do: Sign up for their email newsletter. You will then receive a code to participate in their private sale on May 16th.

This special discount code will get you 30% off their new spring 2012 collection, which, if you haven’t already checked out, has some pretty covet-able items. You’re going to want that code.

Get to it!

Link Love

Tuesday’s as good a day as any to throw some love in the direction of the sites that keep me sane, entertained, and inspired – particularly on days when I’m avoiding work due to the perpetual incompetence that tends to follow the need for technical support. I hope these sites and blogs provide you the same comfort and respite they allow me. Enjoy.

1) Nicolette Mason – A self-proclaimed aesthetically obsessed female.

2) BaubleBar – Because a girl just needs to shop sometimes.

3) A Beautiful Mess – The quirky DIY girl. Love.

4) ban.do – Cutest little things, usually dipped in glitter and sequins.

5) A Little Hamster – Jewelry designer and illustrator from the Netherlands with such delicate pieces.

6) Bella Vida – Fellow blogger friend and lover of fashion.

7) Electric Blogarella – Fabulous It-girl about Miami.

8 ) The Fashion Poet – Miami’s fashion girl, usually hosting or appearing at fantastic events.

For Mom

Today’s Happy Hour post is dedicated to the Mom in your life. The lady who held your hand when you were low and gave you good advice even when you really didn’t want it. The lady who’s put up with you through your adolescent, college, and bad boyfriend years. The lady who still loves you despite your faults – and actually thinks you’re the best thing to ever happen to her, no matter what. Here’s to the moms who know better and aren’t afraid to say so – because it’s for your own good, dammit.

These gifts are all under $100 and go one step beyond the usual flowers and card. Go ahead and buy a little something for mom to show her you may not be done making her crazy, but you can surely make the experience a little sweeter. Happy Mother’s Day, all. And thanks for all you do.

 

 

 

 In this post:

1) Kate Spade New York Mom’s the Word Earrings

2) Ariella Collection Floral Ring Stack – Set of 5

3) Kendra Scott Danielle Oval Pendant Necklace

4) Sequin Brights Small Enamel Bangles

5) Tocca Beauty Roller Ball Perfume Trio

6) philosophy Happy Travels Set

Bond No. 9 Personal Appearance

If you love the Bond No. 9 fragrance line as much as I do and you live in the Miami area, you can catch fragrance creator Laurice Rahme at the Dadeland Mall Saks Fifth Avenue location on Friday, May 11 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The appearance will consist of a one-on-one fragrance consultation and bottle signing. Receive a signed Bond No. 9 50ml bottle of Madison Square Park with a purchase of any two Bond No. 9 full-sized products. *

Call 305.662.8655, ext 330. to schedule an appointment.

Vacation Detour

While Tony and I were packing for the Caribbean last week, our vacation had very different plans in mind. We showed up at the Port of Miami with our bags packed only to be turned away because our ship was apparently oversold and someone forgot to call us and give us a head’s up.

So we walked away, our bathing suits feeling utterly useless beneath our no longer so appropriate tropical attire and, after sulking for a few hours, did what any self-respecting Miami couple would do: We headed for Orlando.

There’s something about driving up to Kissimme and seeing those purple mile-markers on 192 that immediately regresses my verbal skills to tween-worthy squeals of excitement. Once I saw my first pair of Mickey ears, the disappointment melted away into fairy-tale dreams of running around Epcot in a slightly inappropriate but well-deserved buzz. There’s nothing quite like drinking around the “world” while dodging baby strollers and tortured parents. It was fantastic!

Since Tony and I had already packed for the cruise, we decided to keep some of our nicer outfits and put them to use at an indecently delicious dinner at the Bull & Bear in the Waldorf Astoria Orlando (many a sigh was emitted while consuming). I gotta admit, I love seeing my man all Don-Drapered out in an Armani suit. I traded my Nike’s that night for some Kelsi Dagger heels and my new H&M necklace. There were no children to be seen there, which was absolutely lovely.

While it wasn’t the cruise vacation we had in mind, after seeing the all-rain all-day forecast for Nassau, things probably turned out for the best. And, honestly, who can resist a pair of Mickey ears? Except for the family that sat next to us at the Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom and managed to spill ice cream, coffee, AND coffee ice cream on us (no joke), things were pretty spectacular.

Pics from our adventures included below. I’m clearly obsessed with my new Hello Kitty sunglasses, purchased in the Japan gift shop at Epcot. Think I can pull them off all the time?