#ManiMonday: Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer in Lola

Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl
With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there
-- Copacabana, Barry Manilow

When I still lived in New York (which, at this point, feels like AGES ago), I wandered into the Sephora in the Meatpacking District one sunny Saturday afternoon. I knew I needed to pick up more nail polish remover, and I just wanted to browse the new arrivals. Well, lo and behold, I found something I simply couldn't live without ... Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer. I really wanted every single color, but I made myself stop at just two: Nirvana, which I previously reviewed here, and Lola.

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Grunge Is Back: Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Nail Glaze in Nirvana

With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain us
--Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana

Someone really should keep an eye on me when I go to Sephora. It's darn near impossible for me to walk in and only buy what I stepped inside for -- or to spend less than $40 in a single trip. And, as is par for the course, the same thing happened when I went to the Sephora in the Meatpacking District this weekend. I needed a new bottle of nail polish remover. I wanted (and walked out with) two bottles of nail polish from the new Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Nail Glaze Collection.

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Outfit of the Day: A Strong Stance in Cheetah Print

My outfit today was structured around my brand-new blouse from LOFT. I happened upon a LOFT store while meandering down 5th Avenue last night, and this cheetah-print stunner called to me immediately. Yes, I know it's huge and pretty much covers my shorts -- but that's what I love about it! I love that the pockets peek out from underneath and make my legs look as long as they possibly could. I paired my new piece with tried and true favorites -- items I reach for again and again, because every time I put them on, I just feel good. Here's the breakdown.

LOFT Cheetah Print Dolman Sleeve Sheer Blouse, $59.50 at loft.com
Current/Elliott The Boyfriend Short in Sugar, $77.97 at piperlime.com
Sweetie Pie Jewelry Joy Earrings in Clear, $36 at sweetiepiejewelry.com
Alexis Bittar Large Gold Calder Coral Ring (no longer available, but you can find your favorite Alexis Bittar jewelry at alexisbittar.com)
Marc By Marc Jacobs Totally Turnlock bag (no longer available)
Stuart Weitzman T-Bar Platform Sandals (no longer available)
Nails: Rescue Beauty Lounge Catherine H (no longer available)

Floral Fantasy: Marc Jacobs Daisy Solid Perfume Ring

If a prettier way to wear perfume has been invented, I sure haven't found it. The Marc Jacobs Daisy Solid Perfume Ring not only makes a statement come cocktail time, but elegantly houses one of my very favorite fragrances.

The outer dome is patterned with gold ball-encrusted enamel daisies -- so delicate and yet so bold all at once. Swing it around to discover a solid perfume sensation -- the prettier than pretty Daisy fragrance, scented with notes of strawberry, violet leaves, ruby red grapefruit, gardenia, violet petals, jasmine petals, musk, vanilla and white woods.

I love adding a little gleam to my daytime looks, so I've been breaking out this baby for work meetings and events as well as for weekend drinks.

The Marc Jacobs Daisy Solid Perfume Ring retails for $40 at sephora.com.

New Marc Jacobs Fragrances -- Plus a Giveaway!

Taking up valuable space on my vanity right now? The newest fragrances from Marc Jacobs, of course. Two limited-edition versions of the wildly popular Lola and Daisy have got me all aflutter.

Daisy Art Pop Adition takes the iconic Daisy bottle in a completely new direction. Bold, vivacious lipstick red topped with black and gold flowers is so perfect as fall approaches. Notes of wild strawberry, violet petals, gardenia, jasmine, birch and cedarwood create an intensely sensual fragrance with just a hint of playfulness. This fragrance is $88 for 3.4 fl. oz.

Lola Velvet is the Lola fragrance you've come to know and love, but now the colorful flower stopper is crafted in deliciously lush velvet. The fragrance contains notes of pink peppercorn, pear, ruby red grapefruit, rose, fuchsia peony, geranium, vanilla, musk and tonka bean. This fragrance is $68 for 1.7 fl. oz.

And now two winners will experience an extremely lucky day -- because I'm partnering with Marc Jacobs Fragrances to give away one bottle of each fragrance! Simply enter your name, email address and fragrance preference in the box below. The winners will be selected on Saturday, October 9 and notified by email.



This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Friday, October 8 at midnight. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

Today's Beauty Ritual, Brought to You by the Color Green! Plus a Video!

Apparently I like everything to be color-coordinated. If you'll remember, the last time I gave you a peek inside my morning ritual, everything was pink -- and today, everything is green! Check out my video below of all the products I used today.



Seen in the video:
Pureology Antifade Complex Essential Repair Shampoo and Pureology Antifade Complex Essential Repair Condition
BVLGARI Eau Parfumee Au The Vert Bath & Shower Gel
Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream
Pantene Medium-Thick Straighten & Smooth Creme
Marc Jacobs Cucumber Splash

My Latest Haul from Sephora: Stila, Fresh and Marc Jacobs, Oh My!

As many of my beauty compatriots would probably happily attest, it’s quite near impossible to walk into a Sephora and leave without buying anything. I don’t think I’ve ever come away without plunking down at least $40 on pure impulse purchases. The thoughts that go through my head include: That lipgloss? I need it! That body scrub? I’ve been dying to check it out? Oh, and that facial cleanser? I had just been thinking about buying one!

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Pretty in Pink: Marc by Marc Jacobs Long Cosmetic Case in Raspberry

I'm becoming increasingly addicted to the color pink. I'm really not a girly girl -- and it used to be that if pastel pink crossed my path, I'd literally scream in horror. But recently, I seem to be gravitating more and more toward the girliest color around. And when I laid my eyes on the Marc by Marc Jacobs Long Cosmetic Case in Raspberry? It was all over.

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Splash Yourself: Marc Jacobs Splash in Pomegranate

Looking for the perfect lightweight summer fragrance? Look no further than Marc Jacobs Splash in Pomegranate.

This delightful scent is inspired by the simple but decadent pleasure of a Parisian patisserie -- which means that for me, it was love at first sniff. (Because, let's be honest -- who doesn't love a French bakery filled with delicious croissants and eclairs?)

Pomegranates have long been beguiling to me. As a child in Hebrew school, I looked forward to the Jewish holiday of Shavuot -- because we got to eat pomegranates! (The holiday celebrates the bounty of the harvest and the first fruits of the season, and pomegranates are very important in Judaism.) The fact that we only ate the seeds always intrigued me. So of course the fact that this latest creation in the Splash family is Pomegranate immediately sold me. A combination of mandarin flowers, bergamot, rhubarb and sugared musk lends it a sensual, flirty feel.

Marc Jacobs Splash in Pomegranate retails for $68.

Nice Ring: Marc Jacobs Lola Solid Perfume Ring

All the single ladies (all the single ladies)
All the single ladies (all the single ladies)
All the single ladies (all the single ladies)
All the single ladies, now put your hands up

Wha-oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Wha-oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Wha-oh-oh
Cause if you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it
If you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it

Wha-oh-oh

I can't help it ... staring at my favorite new accessory, the Marc Jacobs Lola Solid Perfume Ring, just puts this song in my head.

Now, this was something that could have gone one of two ways. It could have either turned out unbelievably tacky or unbelievably chic. Luckily, it errs on the side of the latter. The ring itself is constructed of multicolored enamel pieces, elegantly shaped into a blooming flower that sits upon the hand and commands attention. Case in point: within seconds of showing up to work with it on, it had already garnered compliments from five of my coworkers! And it even comes in its own little purple leather pouch for safekeeping.

The scent is discreetly contained within the ring -- just swing it out to reveal a hollowed-out core. All the notes of the regular fragrance are here -- pink peppercorn, pear, ruby red grapefruit, rose, fuchsia peony, geranium, vanilla, warm tonka bean and creamy musk. The result is a sexy, sensual fragrance with just a hint of girly playfulness.

The Marc Jacobs Lola Solid Perfume Ring retails for $42.

Don't Forget to Enter the Marc Jacobs Daisy Giveaway!

Have you entered for your chance to win a limited-edition bottle of Marc Jacobs Daisy yet? Well, don't forget ... you have until midnight tonight to enter! Either click on this link to be taken to the original giveaway page or enter your name and email address in the box below. Hurry before the giveaway is over!

Beauty Giveaway: Marc Jacobs Daisy Limited-Edition Bottle

It's time for another giveaway here at The Beauty of Life ... and this is one is quite exciting, if I do say so myself! I've told you before how much I love Marc Jacobs Daisy (click here for a recap). Well, a limited-edition bottle came out this spring that I just have to share with one lucky reader! It's so spring-appropriate with its green daisies and customizable stickers. And one of you now has the chance to win this bottle!

Notes of strawberry, violet leaves, ruby red grapefruit, gardenia, violet petals, jasmine petals, musk, vanilla and white woods make for a truly enchanting fragrance. Since this version is limited-edition, the value is a bit higher at $57.

Entering is easy. Simply enter your name and email address in the box below. The winner will be selected on Friday, June 12 and notified by email. It's that simple!



This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Thursday, June 11 at midnight. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

Splash Into Summer with Marc Jacobs Splash Fragrances

I've long been a fan of the Marc Jacobs Splash fragrances. And the new ones for summer really hit it right on the mark! They're light, fresh, airy and crisp -- perfect for hot days spent frolicking in the surf and sultry summer nights spent dancing under the stars.

The bottles may look relatively simple in design, but they actually rate as some of my favorites. The oversized rectangular bottles each hold a whopping 10 fl. oz. of fragrance -- which may sound unbelievably huge, but since they spray on lightly it's quite easy to use them up before much time has gone by. I also love that they come with both small and large caps and a spritz tube.

So without further adieu, these are the fragrances currently holding court on my vanity...

Marc Jacobs Cucumber is delightfully fresh with absolutely no reminiscence of a summer salad. Combined with morning dew, it leaves a light sweetness upon the skin.

Marc Jacobs Rain will keep you loving the scent of fresh rain without having to carry around an umbrella. If you're like me, you love the scent of rain but absolutely hate getting caught in it -- especially when walking around NYC! And with essences of cotton and grass mixed in, it's absolutely lovely.

Each Marc Jacobs Splash fragrance retails for $68.

Two-For Tuesdays: Marc Jacobs Daisy Gift Set

Marc Jacobs Daisy, oh how I love thee. Let me count the ways.

1) You smell utterly and unbelievably fantastic.

2) You are housed in one of the cutest bottles I've ever seen.

3) You last for hours and you never become too close or cloying.

4) You keep coming up with new and interesting ways to draw me in, like with this new Gift Set.

Get the picture?

No matter how you slice it, Marc Jacobs Daisy is one of my true faves. And this Gift Set is definitely one of the most fab things I've seen in quite some time. And why, might you ask? Because not only does it include a 1.7oz Eau de Toilette Spray, but a Solid Perfume Ring comes along for the ride.

The fragrance itself is delightfully warm. Fruity notes of strawberry and ruby red grapefruit combine with floral notes of violet leaves, gardenia, violet and jasmine petals, topped off with rich notes of musk, vanilla and white woods. What this results in is a deep, intensely lovely scent that stays on the skin for hours yet never makes you feel like it's too close or strong.

Best of all, this set retails for $60 on sephora.com. Totally a bargain in the eyes of this daisy lover!