Darling Clementine

There are many reasons to look forward to the warmer weather. Birds singing. Fragrant flowers. Warm sun on your skin. Crippling seasonal malaise finally lifting.

But mostly, I'm counting down the days until summer just so that I can wear Clarins Rouge Prodige in Clementine - the perfect summer lipstick welcome in the warmth.


With a luscious dewy finish and suprising lasting power, it's a gorgeous, punchy color that isn't overly intimidating to wear due to it's shine and slickness. I'm not much for bright lips, but this had me sold the minute it touched my lips. The saturated hue is on the orange side of the red spectrum, but is flattering and fun, incredible on tanned skin, and wonderful on paler girls with warm skintones like myself. It's like a sip of fruit punch for your lips.

What's your warm weather must-have this year? Anything you're eyeing in the shops? A word of warning if you're visiting the Clarins counter anytime soon - their spring collections are ridiculously lovely, and you may find yourself unable to make any coherent decisions when faced with their coral loveliness. I order online to avoid financial ruin and far too many lipsticks.

Heavenly Hats

If only I had a large, devoted hat budget for my summer wardrobe plans, I could happily clean out NYC Milliner Satya Twena's entire newest collection - now that I've discovered her brilliant designs, all the floppy beach hats and straw fedoras elsewhere look a bit flat in comparison. Beautifully hand-crafted using vintage molds, all of her charming hats have a wonderfully distinct character without losing their modern wearability and easy charm.

This clearly belongs at a summer race meet, sipping lemonade from a jam jar.

This says "Go away. I'm famous, reclusive, on a French beach and possibly not wearing a top."

A pleasantly pastoral picnic, of course. Demure and charming. I hope someone brought scones.

This one's getting more firmly into costume territory, but in a wonderful sort of way. It kind of makes me picture wearing a petticoat and selling flowers in Portobello Road. There's the possibility of a jaunty musical number ensuing at any moment...

Are you a hat person? Visit the rest of the collection at the Satya Twena website, and then tell me your favorite one below!

Cult Classics - Moroccanoil

Your're probably sick to death of hearing about Moroccanoil. I know I am. But there is a reason everyone goes on about it, and so I feel it deserves its place here amongst the Cult Classics at The Blossom Shed.

I don't love the smell (fake vanilla and I are in a duel to the death), and I don't love the ingredients for the price - mostly silicones with some Argan Oil for conditioning - but there's still no debating that a dab or two worked through wet hair works wonders. Instant shine and softness without too much weight or oiliness, it's a godsend for damaged, color-treated or particularly unruly locks. I like to work a bit through very damp hair from ears to ends, then put it up into a bun to sleep. I wake up to a mane of gorgeous soft, healthy looking hair that still has texture and movement to it. It's a quick fix, but a very effective one that's invaluable to dry, damaged tresses. I'm definitely keeping a bottle on hand for when I go blonder in the summer, and chlorine and sun wreak havoc on my unruly and bleached strands.

The Morroccanoil Original Treatment is available online at HQ Hair - it also comes in a light version for finer, more easily weighed-down hair.

What are your hair plans this spring? Do you change your look a lot, or stick with the same cut and color? I've had long, thick hair with shaggy bangs for years, and don't plan on changing it, even though I'm often tempted. It's become a security fringe that I'm a bit terrified of going without. I like peering out at people from beneath all the hair. It makes me feel superior.

(Product sent for consideration by Moroccanoil)

Downton Abbey Paper Dolls

Oh. Dear. Lord.

Well that's it then. I'll never get any work done now. Excuse me, I'm off to find a color printer. I suggest you do the same.

Images via The Vulture

Friday Frock

I'm not going to lie to you. This week's Friday Frock may end up looking a bit puffy when on. It's possible - there are quite a few layers happening here, and one can only hope they all behave.

Though I don't care even if it is a touch too voluminous. Because when I see this dress, I picture sitting at a sidewalk cafe on the French Riviera, sipping limoncello under gaily colored umbrellas. I feel a Vespa ride may follow. We've switched to Italy now, but never mind, just go with it. It makes me think of yacht decks glistening on an azure harbor and pastel colored ice creams on the beach. You just need some cat's eye sunglasses - these, preferably - some leather sandals, and a bouncy ponytail. I can't be responsible for what happens next. It probably involves that Vespa and a yacht deck-hand named Marco, and possibly jewel thievery. It's that kind of dress.



Oh and it's on sale too.

(Good lord I just realized the sublime YSL sunglasses are on sale too. It's a sign. Buy them both and make for the Riviera. Let me know how it goes.)

Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cleanser

I'm on a mission to convert the entire world to cream cleansers. They're not only SO much better for your skin than gel or foaming varieties, but they transform the simple act of washing your face into a soothing ritual that I couldn't face early mornings without.

My favorite right now is the gorgeous Pure Cloud Cleanser from Skyn Iceland. Perhaps I'm just very suggestible, but it really does feel like washing your face with a soft, creamy, cloud - it smells like sweet, fresh air and leaves skin clean, soft and glowing. I actually look forward to cleansing. In fact I think I'm looking for any excuse lately, just because I enjoy using it so much - I need to rein it in a bit. I gently rub it into skin, close my eyes, and picture this.......

It's the perfect way to start the day, and to end it as well - makeup dissolves beautifully and completely with just a small amount of the cream, even waterproof mascara and heavy sunscreen. It also comes with a little muslin cloth, though I have to say this is the one failing of the product - the cloth is just the right size for a little Borrower-type person, or possibly an Icelandic pixie, but not feasible for someone human sized - I just use one of the muslins I already have, or a regular washcloth. I don't mind at all though, because the formula is perfect - coconut oil extract, shea butter, aloe, meadowfoam and angelica leave skin soothed, soft and clean.

The closest comparable product is probably Liz Earle's beloved Cleanse and Polish - of which I am a huge fan. While I adore it's invigorating scent and thick, balm like texture, my skin seems to prefer the Cloud Cleanser's slightly more neutral and soothing formula, and I really love its whipped, airy texture and clean, faintly sweet smell. It's a similar price (cheaper actually!) and easier for me to get here in the US - I am notoriously wasteful with products, but my large tube has lasted for months. I will be repurchasing several. Hell, I might buy a case. I want to spread cream cleanser joy throughout my friends and family.

The rest of Skyn Iceland's range is lovely looking too, with cool, clean sounding names like Arctic Face Mist and Nordic Skin Peel and gorgeous Icelandic images that I find terribly appealing. Natural and healthy, the line is paraben, phthalate and petroleum free, and uses powerful antioxidants and minerals sourced from glacial waters, plants and herbs to support and heal stressed skin.

There's a perfect little pack of trial sized products on their website that I'm hoping to try next - I have a rather sinking feeling that I'm going to love them all. I hate when that happens.

Photo via Pinterest

(Product kindly sent for consideration by Skyn Iceland)

Gorgeous Getaway - Bastide d'Esparon

I'm having one of those weeks where work just starts to pile up quicker and quicker until it all looks awfully unsurmountable, and I want to A) not get out of bed in the mornings, or B) pull an Agatha Christie-style getaway and disappear for a week or two, just vanish off the face of the earth and let everything get on without me for a bit.

I've been mostly choosing option A) lately, but if I were to finally just pack it all in and bolt, I'd make for a tiny mountain village deep in the Languedoc-Roussillon countryside, and rent this beautiful old stone house known as Bastide d'Esparon. Surrounded by national park, lush forest and dramatic gorges, it's a perfect spot the hide out from the world. A walk down the rocky pathways to the crystal clear river and bobbing about lazily in the cool water will be as much excitement as I'll allow. The rest of the time will be spent catching up on sleep in the particularly inviting looking daybed on the sunny terrace, or enjoying obscene amounts of local cheese at the beautifully rustic dining table.
If you could escape anywhere for a week of peace and quiet, where would you choose?

Bond No 9's Andy Warhol

As a fragrance fanatic, I'm slightly ashamed to say that I've never sampled anything by the famed NYC boutique fragrance house Bond No 9 - so I was very happy when their lovely rep sent me the latest in their Andy Warhol inspired line, titled appropriately, ahem, Andy Warhol.

Andy Warhol opens with a blast of warm, fruity stickiness, all sweet, spicy plum and citrus at the forefront. As it dries down some of the fruitiness fades into incense and woods, settling into cedar, amber and a hint of rough oud. It remains a very sweet fragrance on me, very unique and quite bold. The sticky, dried fruit and aromatic woods make this smell very much like a winter, holiday scent to me - very fun, modern and festive. I'm not a fan of fruit notes, being a bluebells and rain sort of girl myself, and therefore I'm not going to be rushing out for a bottle of this anytime soon. But if you like bold, sweet scents with a lot of depth and texture, this should be right up your alley, and I suggest sampling it immediately.

Which brings us onto the bottle. My dressing table basics look something like this:

I don't think there's a place for Andy Warhol leering scowlingly from behind his sunnies on it. Besides being sartorially out of keeping with my English country house themed toilette, it's also a little creepy, and I'd have to turn the bottle to the wall every time I got dressed. Andy, please! This is a bottle for a sleek urbanite, probably a graphic artist with a rather severe haircut and a hollow laugh.

What I am quite excited about however, judging by how interestingly crafted this scent was, is the release of Bond No 9's very latest NYC inspired fragrance, Central Park West. Inspired by the greenery and peace at the heart of a bustling metropolis, it's a floral composition of narcissus, linden, ylang ylang and orris, and sounds absolutely lovely for spring.

Any of my intrepid readers have a Bond No 9 favorite, or is there one you like the sound of? Tell me about it below!

(sample sent for consideration)

Friday Frock

Yes, I know this is just a very large, rather nicely draped sweatshirt, and therefore does not, as such, really constitute as a frock. I also know that most of us are snowed in at the moment and therefore going to be spending most of our weekend curled up on the sofa, wearing multiple pairs of socks and consuming vast quantities of hot beverages. If ever there was a frock for just such an occasion, this would be it. You could even throw on some leggings or skinny jeans and run to the store for vital supplies (ie vast quantities of fortifying chocolate) while looking reasonably chic. It beats standing at the checkout in your garden gnome printed pajama bottoms tucked into snowboots.

My only worries? First, that it will be so comfortable and cozy that I'll never take it off, and second, that I've spent too much time in L.A. and am beginning to think loungewear is sartorially acceptable...

Cult Classic: Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil

The Laura Mercier Kohl eye pencil is probably not as wildly popular as most of the cult classics I've featured before, but goodness does it deserve to be - both it's formula and colors are make it the holy grail of liners for me. Stormy Grey is an every day essential - a beautiful, soft smokey color with a hint of navy, it's much more chic and flattering than black, and stays put without losing it's smooth and smudgy kohl finish.

The other shades in the range are unusual mixtures of pigment resulting in gorgeously wearable colors - I'm eyeing the mini-set of five pencils at Sephora as an affordable way to own them all. It's on my list. Unfortunately that list of makeup must-haves for the spring is starting to get concerningly long - I'm going to have to make some brutal cuts, but these will not be among them.

There's some excellent swatches of the colors at Karlasugar - which is your favorite? Besides my beloved grey, I think Antique Jade and Black Gold are gorgeous.....

Suti Nourish Facial Oil

I've been waiting a bit to write a review on this product because I was so smitten I was afraid I'd gush. Time hasn't dampened my enthusiasm, so prepare yourselves as I extol the virtues of my new best friend..... The Suti Nourish Facial Oil.

Lovingly created by two sister-in-laws Suzannah and Tina (the "Su" and "Ti"), Suti is a small, impeccably crafted new line from the UK that uses only sustainably sourced, organically grown ingredients, hand blended into the finest and gentlest of facial oils, balms and tonics. I plan on reviewing several of them over the next month, but I'm starting with my favorite - the divine Nourish Facial Oil.

It's no secret that we love a good facial oil here at the Blossom Shed, and there's not many I haven't tried - there's some lovely ones out there, but Suti's Nourish Facial Oil has left them all behind - it's just ridiculously nice. A potent blend of 15 plant and flower extracts, it's intensely nourishing, smooth, silky and light, and releases a gorgeous natural fragrance when gently pressed into skin. Skin looks glowing, bright and plump in the morning, like you've just had a wonderful night's sleep.

This blend includes Apricot Kernel, Avocado, Calendula, Argan, Jasmine and Patchouli oils - I suppose it should smell of jasmine, but to me it smells like paperwhites, those gorgeously scented spring bulbs that you can grow on your windowsill, that smell like a mix between narcissus and jasmine. If you like that sort of thing, this smells like heaven in a bottle, and has such a lovely aromatherapy effect that I seem to relax immediately when I put this on. It feels and smells luxurious, and the scent lingers quietly until I fall asleep. The pretty glass bottle looks beautiful on your dresser, as does the pale emerald color of the oil within. My favorite part of all is that it's $52 for the lovely 30ml bottle - I know that doesn't sound cheap, but it's about 1/3 of the price of other luxury face oils - the whole line is incredibly reasonable for the quality and ingredients, which is another reason I'm thrilled by it - it's rare to find good value hand in hand with impeccable quality.

My favorite way to use this is to press a few drops into damp skin at night and forgo the moisturizer - I like that it heals and plumps skin while letting it breath and rest as you sleep. You can use it nightly, or just once or twice a week to pamper, nourish and balance the skin.

You can find Suti products on their website in the UK, and at Shen Beauty boutique in the US.

Do you have a favorite luxury product that helps you feel pampered and relaxed? How do you feel about paperwhites? I love hearing your comments, so share below!

(Products kindly sent by Suti for consideration)

It's (Monday). Have a drink.

Because I haven't posted one of these in ages, and this feels like the sort of Monday that we could all use a drink....

Meet the Persimmon Bitter. My sister sent me this recipe last week, and I can't wait to make it - partly because I was completely addicted to persimmons as a child. I have very early memories of always grabbing armfuls of them when going shopping with my mother, only to always find out I was holding an armful of tomatoes, which I would then drop in disgust. I must have been mildly color blind in my early years.

Strangely, I don't think I've tasted one in probably 20 years - so it's about time. I hope I still like them. Persimmons are packed with antioxidants and vitamins A and C, so you're basically drinking a healthy freshly squeezed fruit juice. With gin.

You can find the complete recipe here, but it's quite easy - just make a puree of the persimmons with simple syrup, and add gin and lime juice and shake over ice. Pour into something pretty, and let its sunny orange glow warm up your chilly winter evening.

photo via pinterest

Friday Frock

I've given up trying to find perfect dresses for winter - I'm done with winter. As long as you can make it through January, you're into resort wear, and then everything is bright and beautiful again, popping with prints and luscious colors, bringing a little much needed sunshine into our days. So I hereby declare this season open - I'm bringing on the brights.



I first saw this Rory Beca Holiday 2011 dress on the lovely blog Cocogroove, which always has the most gorgeous pictures of new collections - the whole lookbook was just perfection, and I think there wasn't an item I didn't want to own. Oh and I'd take the house as well.

Not only is this the most clear, deep, divine shade of blue, that looks beautiful on so many skintones and was made for long, sunkissed limbs, but it also has that brilliant cut where the maxi skirt swirls and parts to reveal the mini underskirt beneath - just made for striding across the lawn of an outdoor party with a slight breeze. I'm going to start saving up the piggybank for this one - I'm smitten.

FACE Stockholm Magic Wand

The Swedish have given us may wonderful additions to modern life, such as pancakes, Volvos, depressed detectives and Alexander Skarsgård. I now count FACE Stockholm amongst this hallowed group - their streamlined range of professional products is all about quality, with an incredible array of pigments and formulations housed in sleek, metallic packaging. It's chic and smart makeup and skincare, and I'm dying to visit one of their stores one day.

The lovely people at FACE were kind enough to send me a few products to try, including their glittering Magic Wand pen. Touted as highlighting and concealing - magically, one would assume - it's a handy little pick me up that I'm thrilled with as a light, sheer concealer. Below are the shades -

I started using it only for undereyes, hoping it would be similar to YSL's Touche Eclat, but it wasn't for me - I loved the creamy, sheer formula but the shade (#1) did nothing to brighten up my shadows, being a bit too puttyish and cool for my very yellow (read: sallow) undertones. Were it to be a good color match, the formula feels wonderful and light around the eyes - it just doesn't do anything for me brightness wise, I think I need a bit more pink in the formula.

Then I tried it as a quick concealer - and I'm in LOVE! I use very little coverage, and I hate the feeling of anything cakey, dry or fake looking on my skin - this is remarkably creamy and light, with good lasting power. Somehow the shade suits everywhere but my underye perfectly - it blends beautifully over spots, redness or little broken capillaries, and looks completely sheer and natural, while damping down the red and covering exactly what I want concealed. It layers wonderfully and never cakes or creases, even on dry, irritated skin.

If you're used to heavy duty concealers for maximum coverage, this probably isn't going to be for you, but for quick touch ups, tidying up sheer complexions and for dry, easily irritated skin, it's an absolute must for me - I keep it in my clutch of essentials, and will be repurchasing it regularly. Is it magic? I might not be trying the right spells, but I can't get anything but a lovely creamy concealer out of it so far, but that's magic enough right now for my tired winter skin. At $32, it's even a bit less pricey than most of the click pen concealers out there, and lasts white well.

Have you heard of or tried any FACE Stockholm products? Are you still thinking about Alexander Skarsgård driving around in a Volvo and eating pancakes while solving crimes? That's okay. When you're done, have a look at their website - it's gorgeous. And let me know if you have a favorite magic item in your beauty arsenal that you can't live without!

(product kindly sent by FACE Stockholm for review)