Oooh, on things i’m slightly kicking myself for now… i was just in Sephora today and gave in to one of those packaging influenced spontaneous splurges… Jurlique’s new Biodynamic line is GORGEOUS! The packaging is just beautiful ~ in that high quality bottles, beautiful curves, unique yet functional, frosted glass kind of way… and all of their inserts and boxes are 100% post-consumer recycled paper… the sampler kit of the new lines come in what appear to be egg cartons at first - which are also 100% recyclable…. not to mention their products are all natural, made from plants and flowers from their South Australian farms.

The part i’m kicking myself over? I knew it sounded familiar! A quick search through email reminded me that this is the exact line i missed a bbq launch event for in Hollywood at the infamous Hillhaven Lodge, which is the kind of place filled with hollywood legends - originally home to Ingrid Bergman - and currently home to Brett Ratner - who had the photography book Hilhaven Lodge: The Photo Booth Pictures showing pages of fun hollywood types in photo booth pics… (my excuse is that i got caught up in san diego!) Basically, i hate to admit that sometimes PR folks know exactly what types of products fit perfectly with my tastes before i do, because when i wandered through Sephora i couldn’t resist playing with every product in the Jurlique Biodynamic line, and ended up picking the sampler with all the adorable scaled down minis and the fabulous egg carton-esque packaging to photograph and share with you.

Also… while i’ve only just started trying it out, the all natural line feels incredibly refreshing and light, and i guess i’ll find out by morning how my skin responds to it! Take a look at the many pics on the next page, there’s something so nice about the shape of the glass bottles they’ve designed.

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So in the post where we showed you all the new Swims City Slippers for heels ~ there was much talk about why they didn’t have some that covered the shoe fully, protecting your feet from splashing instead of just giving you more traction… well when reading our friends at Frizzi Frizzi, i noticed a post from a milan fair showing just that! So poking and prodding their PR for more information i’ve found out that those are actually only prototypes ~ and unfortunately they are not manufactured or available! I must say these remind me of dive booties in heel form ~ Perhaps with enough positive feedback we can help convince Swims to actually produce these!

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Swims gives us a first look at their latest innovation in the galoshes space to protect you (and your gorgeous shoes) from the rain and other messy, muddy places you wander through. Here’s a peek at the new Swims City Slippers ~ the best detail is definitely the maps of NY, Paris, and Tokyo on the soles ~ although i do wonder if it means with every step in dirt, you can leave maps for the lost? It’s flexible design is ready for heels of any thickness (but your wedges will have to wait for now), and its low cut so no bows or buckles get caught. The price is $95, they will be available on the site any day now and in stores within two weeks. They will be available in burgundy, black, pearl, red, purple and olive. I must say, i feel silly writing about rain products while i’m sitting in this LA heatwave, a nice cool rain and breeze would be quite nice right about now!

We’re big fans of the classic mens and women’s swims - as well as their push button open/close umbrellas after they saved both dan and i when running around NY for ICFF and into the woods of VT when only armed with dress shoes… so i can’t wait to try these out! See our past reviews/posts about swims here - and see more images of the new Swims City Slippers on the next page!

UPDATE: check out Frizzi Frizzi’s post with a hands on look at a few other new Swims designs!

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There was a bit of time where I avoided wearing too much black because I thought maybe it was a little boring. Well, now I’m fully embracing it, so here are some black (and almost black) items that have popped up on NotCouture. First row is jackets & coats, second row is a mix of things for the ladies, including a cool motorcycle jacket, and the bottom row is accessories. That handsome weekender in the bottom right corner is for the guys!

If you love black as well, or want to inject a bit of color into NotCouture, feel free to share your finds with us!

Here’s a NotCouture roundup covering the past couple of weeks. We’ve got more than usual for the guys (a row and a half!) including another pair of great looking shoes from my current favorite guy’s sneaker maker, Gram. And now that summer playtime is over, I guess the ladies have been feeling more feminine as there have been quite a few dresses popping up on NotCouture. As usual, we’d love for you to share your style with us! (I’m on the hunt for a great everyday black bag, and I could really use some help finding one!)

Penhaligon’s ~ i tried to tell myself i’d stick to French brands and stores while wandering around in my few days in Paris ~ but i couldn’t help myself when i wandered into Penhaligon’s, the legendary british perfumerie that dates back to the 1800s. I’ve been drawn to their fragrances at Fred Segal most recently, and vaguely remember loving a lavender body wash of theirs an ex had… but the store, packaging (love their tissue paper), layouts, and product designs were so gorgeous i was smitten - and had to share a few pics. So take a peek on the next page… even their tiles had me mesmerized…

I still have SO many things i want to share with you from the Paris trip, but strangely enough the jetlag has left me in a bit of a haze the last few days here in LA… so more catching up to come soon!

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While in Paris i stumbled across a new store (new, as in there are 6 currently open around paris, and quite a few others in the process of opening around france), The Kooples. I suppose what struck me first was the black and white interiors, bright white lighting (apparently the designers were adamant about making sure the lighting didn’t interfere with the perception of the clothing colors), and the slightly american apparel feel with the candid photography - but with a far more… London rocker meets Saville Row with a Parisian twist? It’s hard to describe, you have to go see it ~ but the tailoring of every detail is impeccable, yet these perfect jackets and shirts had fun subtle yet hardcore skulls on metal buttons… and when unfortunately a jacket i loved didn’t have my size in the color i wanted, i couldn’t help myself and got a really fun necklace (pics on the next page). As for the branding, beyond the black, white, and photography ~ the packaging is nice too, see the bag on the next page! And like Acne, they even have a magazine/newspaper that is just starting off as well…

Their site describes it as: “The Kooples, c’est le retour du chic de rue, un état d’esprit Paris-Londres, une inclinaison musicale, la mode comme manifeste, et un vestiaire pour deux. Depuis cinq minutes ou depuis quinze ans, pour une nuit, pour un certain temps, c’est un mode de vie, un jeu.” The Kooples is the return of street chic, a Paris-London mindset, a musical inclination, fashion as a manifest, and a cloakroom for two. For five minutes or the last fifteen years, for one night, for some time, it is a way of life, a game.

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Crazy weekend here ~ been shopping quite a bit, and prepping for Paris (leave monday!) ~ so figured this was a good time to see what was popular on NotCouture this week! Looks like lots of bags and boots made the list. Click the pics to find out more!

“RVL7 - “REVEL SEVEN”. Revel means “to celebrate” - the 7 comes from “24/7”. RVL7 has been created to celebrate living a sustainable lifestyle 24/7.”

Discovered RVL7 in the Eco-Lands of Outsde Lands - amongst the standard white tents, it was refreshing to see this pre-fab woody oasis of a t-shirt bar filled with stickers, buttons, and gorgeous graphic organic tees… see the pictures on the next page to see some of my favorite designs, and the experience within!

p.s.
Unfortunately the RVL7 site doesn’t have a store, gallery, etc etc etc up yet, but hopefully coming soon!

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Jewelry seemed to be the main theme this week on NotCouture. There’s a crazy Jaeger-LeCoultre watch that doubles as a keyless entry for the Aston Martin DBS (how James Bond!). And the other mini-theme seemed to be coats and jackets as we’re about to transition into Autumn (how is summer almost over??). If jewelry and coats aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of other stuff to check out at NotCouture, and of course keep sharing your cool finds with us!

NOTCOT Note: This is the final post in my series of Ultimate Accessories posts which have been sponsored by the new Infiniti G Sedan! As with any sponsored content ~ these posts are done - my way - my product choices, my content, and they help me keep doing what i love!

Swims. I’ve shown you the Swims line before ~ and even a hands on review in the rain… but i never had a chance to share how amazing the umbrella and men’s models are. So a few quick notes - when we spontaneously took off into the woods in vermont from our NY trip, we only had our nicer shoes… and both men’s and women’s shoes saved us! Even when we ran across the stream behind the log cabin. And the umbrellas - so nice that they both open and close with the push of a button! It certainly spoils you quickly when running in and out of so many down pours! Read more about Swims!

I’m so happy that we are getting more posts about men’s clothing on NotCouture! That means we get to see great designs from an area that we (mostly girls here on the NOTCOT team still!) probably wouldn’t get to see on our usual internet shopping/browsing/perusing sessions. So here’s a quick roundup of some stuff for guys that have popped up this past week. Seems like plaid is popular for Fall (though I don’t think it’s ever been unpopular…), and you can get acquainted with the latest collaboration (H&M + Comme des Garçons) that I’m actually pretty interested in checking out. Keep posting, guys!

NOTCOT Note: This is the seventh in my series of Ultimate Accessories posts which have been sponsored by the new Infiniti G Sedan! As with any sponsored content ~ these posts are done - my way - my product choices, my content, and they help me keep doing what i love!

The summer is still going strong, and the weather has been absolutely amazing, i love the warm summer night sitting outside listening to nature all around you, watching the stars, as a bat buzzes by your head… so anyhow, writing a series of ultimate accessories wouldn’t be complete without a perfect bikini and coverup ~ so my latest lust object is this refreshingly green Missoni Columbia Halter Bikini and the Missoni Corinto Silk Kaftan. Now if only someone would gift me the set with a big floppy beach hat, some fun sunglasses - and i’d grab my kindle and be off to lay outside and get some good afk time!

There were a good amount of shoes popping up on NotCouture this week.. Or maybe it just seemed that way because I’m currently on a quest for shoes. And of course, we need bags to go with our shoes, so here are some interesting ones that were posted. I especially liked the accordion-like bag from Samsonite Black Label!

Babies everywhere! Or i’m apparently reaching that age where i have found myself constantly baby shopping for friends suddenly… So is it any surprise that Jill Fehrenbacher, of Inhabitat, in the midst of her pregnancy has launched Inhabitots, the latest addition to the Inhabitat family? Also, the new logo for the calm blue site is an adorable Owl with child! While many of the products there are right up our alley (and have shown up on NOTCOT previously) ~ they are eco-friendly, clean and modern… and my latest discovery on Inhabitots to add to the backup list for new-parent shopping is what is a bit scarily called “Teething Bling” by Smart Mom Jewelry. If you pick the subtler hues, its not a bad necklace/bangle, and the nice thing is, it’s completely safe for your child to teeth on, and saves your usual jewelry from the nibble marks. My only worry is… will this help condition your baby to think its ok to chew on jewelry in the long run?