Blooming Beauties In Every Color!

As I've mentioned before, I love shoes, shoes on sale or not on sale.

When a new season is around the corner, it's the shoes that first get me excited, then the fashion. I subscribe to the philosophy that you can never have too many shoes. I also think that shoes are there to anchor your look and to express your personality.

I like the idea of having a classic shoe wardrobe and to add some funky pieces, (meaning colorful, embellished or animal prints) in the mix for days where you feel like channeling your inner Frieda Kahlo.

I have rounded up a few, not so classic, spring favorites:

Manolo Blahnik high heels

Schutz Delta heels

ALDO platform pumps

Pretty Ballerinas fuschia shoes

Carvela patent leather pumps

H&M ballerina flat

Tory Burch flat sandals 

Karen Miller Yellow Satin heels

Reed Krakoff strappy high heels

Did You Know That...

Sophia Loren served almost three weeks in prison for tax evasion in 1982.

There is a red rose named after Romy Schneider, the "Rosa Romy Schneider", since she was born Rosemarie.

Audrey Hepburn was born in Belgium and her mother was a Dutch aristocrat.

Coral Palette

Coral pink is my favorite color to beat the winter blues and step into spring! It is fresh, vibrant, feminine and instantly uplifting. The pinkish-orange shade is everywhere this season from handbags, shoes, clothing, jewelry and makeup palettes. And everyone can embrace it because this popular hue is universally flattering.

Here are a few ideas to add a pop of color to your look, whether you wish to dive into the coral trend a little or a lot.

Oasis ruched top

Parker top

Miss Selfridge coral jeans

J Crew cotton skirt

Diba wedge shoes

Prada leather tote handbag

Zara clutch handbag

Kate spade jewelry

Stella and Dot chandelier jewelry

Stila "Custom Colour" Blush Coral

Lancôme lip gloss makeup

Different Colors, Unwavering Style!

Defining your personal style is a lifetime journey.

It's about embracing who you are, dressing for your body type and understanding which fit and cut are the most flattering to express your individuality. It's about being timeless, not trendy.

As Yves Saint Laurent said it: "Fashion fades, style is eternal".

Here is a great example of someone who cultivates her own personal style through the seasons:

British Vogue

"You Can Cut All The Flowers, But...

You cannot keep spring from coming." Pablo Neruda

British Vogue March 2012

Russia Vogue May 2012

Nederland Vogue April 2012

Japan Vogue April 2012

Portugal Vogue February 2012

British Vogue May 2012

China Vogue March 2012

Deluxe: How Luxury Losts Its Luster

A good friend of mine who lives in Paris recently sent me the French edition of the New York Times Bestsellers "Deluxe: Luxury Losts Its Luster". It had just been released in France and since she shares my passion for fashion, she thought I would find this book fascinating. She was right. This is an absolute page-turner.

"Deluxe: How Luxury Losts Its Luster" is written by Newsweek reporter Dana Thompson. It is a well-researched behind-the-scene tale about the luxury fashion industry today.

Thomson outlines how, not too long ago, luxury fashion was a symbol of the lifestyle only available to a small elite of aristocrats. At that time, the couture fashion houses were known for their craftsmanship and their attention to details. Quality was then considered the hallmark of couture.

But since 1950, the luxury industry went from family-owned businesses to global conglomerates that now operate with a different set of values: leveraging their brands through mass-marketing and maximizing profitability for their shareholders.

Deluxe documents this shift through countless encounters with key industry players such as Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfeld and Miuccia Prada. Thomson also reveals surprising anecdotes from how the Birkin bag got its name to the Japanese overwhelming enthusiasm for designer labels.

The book is a real eye-opener about the "Deluxe" world, from how it was created to where it has evolved until today. A great read!

Sweet and Savoury

I looove caramel.

Creme caramel, caramel popcorn, caramel sauce on a sundae, caramel apple, salt water taffy, pecan-caramel crunch, ice cream, dark chocolate filled with caramel, cheesecake with caramel frosting, carambars, dulce de lece, English toffee, caramel pound cake, caramel macaron, honeycomb, tiny caramel tarts, crunchie bars and the very festive croquembouche. I love them all.

But for me the Holy Grail of caramel is salted caramel sauce with fleur de sel. I have tasted many different kinds over the years and my favorite one by far is made by Chocolats Geneviève Grandbois. Her caramel is rich, creamy, buttery and even has a smooth velvety texture. The ultimate indulgence.

I could give you countless tips on how to use it, from drizzling it on ice cream or spreading it on a toasted brioche. I still believe that the best way to enjoy this caramel is to take a small spoon and to offer yourself a divine moment. You will only need one spoon of this sumptuous mixture to satisfy your palate, I promise.

And don't keep this delight to yourself! Share the love because this petit pot de caramel makes the coolest hostess gift.

I guess by now you understand why I named my blog Pearls and Caramel!

Caramel Fleur de Sel, 200g, $13.75 CND

www.chocolatsgg.com

Jacob Nail Polish: Bright Fun Jelly Shades

Jacob, the Canadian clothing retailer, stepped into the beauty arena last fall by introducing a complete nail polish line. Their latest spring collection now includes gleeful colors and funky names such as "Sunny Capri", "Flirty Bikini" and "Retro Chic".

The wearable colors range from classic shades (white, soft pink, pale grey), bright fun jelly shades (yellow, peach, tangerine, cherry and red) to darker hues (blue, burgundy and purple). And at $6.00 CND a bottle, it's a steal!

Candy-Colored Season

After a long and dark winter, colors are finally blooming. There is now a profusion of hues to choose from: pink, lemon yellow, mint, tangerine, blush, ultra-blue, tomato...

Blugirl, Spring/Summer 2012 

Louis Vuitton, Spring/Summer 2012 

Ermanno Scervino, Spring/Summer 2012

Hermès Spring/Summer 2012

 Valentino Ready-To-Wear Spring/Summer 2012 

Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2012

Oscar de la Renta, Spring/Summer 2012

Images via New York Magazine & Style.com

They Don't Make People Like That Anymore

Salvador Dali and Coco Chanel

Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe

Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly

Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire

Federico Felinni, Marcello Mastroianni,  Sophia Loren

Brigitte Bardot and Picasso

My 5 Beauty Must-Have For Spring

Korres Wild Rose Face and Eye Serum ($48.00 CND)

This serum is formulated with wild rose oil, a natural source of vitamin C, which helps enhance skin's clarity, brightness and elasticity. It leaves my face feeling smooth and soft, and my skin looks radiant and more even-toned. I even noticed that it reduces redness as well as under-eye circles. I like the fact that a little goes a long way and that it does not contain harsh chemicals. And let's not forget the very delicate and pleasant rose scent, divine.

Lise Watier Sensational Kiss ($20.00 CND)

At first glance, this lip balm may appear like a clear lipgloss. But it's much more than that. It contains fine sugar crystals, which are designed to exfoliate the lips and remove dead skin cells. It smells very sweet, it has a wonderful taste, it's easy to carry around and it's absolutely addictive to apply. Love it!

Marcelle BB Cream ($22.50 CND)

Marcelle is the first company to have launched a Canadian-made BB cream (as in Beauty Balm). This multi-purpose product claims to offer eight benefits in one:

- Evens out skintone

- Hydration

- Anti-aging

- Skin regeneration

- Shine control

- Soothes and calms skin

- Reduce appearance of imperfection

- Adds radiance

It comes in two self-adjusting shades, it is light and creamy and it is easily blendable into your skin. I like to use this product the same way I would use a tinted moisturizer because the coverage is on the lighter side. What I like the most about this skin-enhancer cream is the fresh glow and matte finish it gives my face. A real pleasure to use every morning, I just wish it would also contain an SPF to make it an even more complete product.

L'Oréal The Balm ($8.95 CND)

This balm is somewhere between a lipgloss and a lipstick. The selection of colors is beautiful but quite on the sheer side. The texture is surprisingly rich and hydrating, it goes on smoothly, it contains an SPF 15 and provides a 2-hour staying power. I find the packaging rather elegant for a drugstore brand and I am very fond of the "Nourishing Nude" and the "Plush Plum" shades.

MAC Peaches Powder Blush ($24.00 CND)

With the color frenzy these days, I was eager to add a tad of tangerine to my make-up routine. This true peach sheertone blush has a silky texture and a matte finish. When applied lightly, it delivers a natural flush but it is easily buildable to achieve a bolder look. It's the perfect daytime blush for spring.