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Chloe Mini Marcie Bag Review

September 24, 2018

Chloe Mini Marcie Bag Review | The Beauty Look Book

Today I have a purse review of the Chloe Mini Marcie Bag. I featured it in a few travel/packing posts and received so many questions about it asking for a review. As much as I love having a good medium sized tote to carry daily things, I’ve found myself wearing smaller bags more often for their convenience and style. Since I’m on the petite side, smaller cross body bags often are better suited for my short frame. The Mini Marcie style has been around for a long time but I think it’s still one you can wear today. I love the casual look it has. There are so many good colors – it was tough to pick one, but I narrowed it down to the Tan (medium warm golden brown) color and find it really versatile for my wardrobe. My next two picks would have been either the Black or Abstract White.

The Marcie Bag comes in a few size options, the mini one is the smallest option that I picked. It’s currently priced at $890 and it comes with an adjustable strap. I have it set to the shortest option which works well for me (I’m 5’3″). The bag is made of grained calfskin leather. It’s soft but pretty sturdy (so far). It’s also retained it’s shape well as I haven’t seen any sagging. It has an open interior with two small flat pockets which I haven’t made use of, but I like that they’re there. The bag has a rounded but flat base so it will stand up on it’s own. Measurements are approximately 6 inches wide by 7 tall, depth of the base is 3.5 inches. There’s an open ring at the base to loop the strap at the bottom in. I really like the design features because it’s super easy to access the contents inside, but the flap keeps everything pretty secure. The only thing I would change is the strap design. The end kinda hangs loose if you adjust it to the shortest measurement. I wish there was some kind of clasp to keep it in place/secure.

Chloe Mini Marcie Bag Review Tan | The Beauty Look Book

A look at the details, the front has a pretty saddle shaped front flap:

Chloe Mini Marcie Purse Review | The Beauty Look Book

A look at the side and back, I like that it’s flat so it doesn’t feel like it’s poking your sides when you carry it:

Chloe Mini Marcie Bag Side and Back View | The Beauty Look Book

Inside the bag and a look at the base clasp:

Chloe Mini Marcie Bag Interior Poclet and Clasp | The Beauty Look Book

Here’s what I was able to fit inside my bag over the weekend. I can switch things out of similar sizes – if I skip the hand cream, I can fit a small dry shampoo inside. If I opt for a flat card case I can fit my sunglasses inside (without the case). It is small inside but not too small for me. In an effort to edit my closet and accessories I sold almost all my small wallets and accessories in a blog sale earlier this year. I slowly realized as I started carrying smaller bags that I would need to repurchase a small wallet. I did a lot of research and opted for the Gucci Marmont Card Case again. I had this in an older style in the quilted pattern. Out of all the leather goods I’ve had I find Louis Vuitton and Gucci to be the sturdiest regardless of leather type. The smooth leather of my older one held up really well. This one has a grained surface which I like more in general. The case has enough slots for my ID and cards that I carry. The current version has a zipper for small change and a compartment for cash. It fits my iPhone X.

What's Inside My Bag Chloe Mini Marcie | The Beauty Look Book

What’s inside my bag:

All tucked inside:

What's Inside My Bag Chloe Mini Marcie | The Beauty Look Book

For those curious, a closer look at the Gucci Petite Marmont Leather Card Case, I bought mine from Nordstrom but this particular style has sold out several times. A few places have it on backorder online, but you can also find it at Gucci and Saks Fifth Avenue right now. It has four card slots, zipped coin compartment, and slot for cash.

Gucci Petite Marmont Leather Card Case

A few outfits with the purse, below at the Aesop store inside Oxford Exchange in Tampa (one of my favorite places!). Top from Madewell, shorts from 7 For All Mankind, sandals by Tory Burch.

Tampa, Florida Oxford Exchange

Earlier this year in Miami, top by Joie, shorts by Blank NYC (old style), sandals by Tory Burch.

Chloe Mini Marcie Bag, Joie Top

One last look with a side by side of two other small cross body bags. The YSL Wallet on Chain is one I’ve had for many years but the interior and flat design makes it hard to carry anything except just cards and small items. It’s a great going out purse or one if you just want to carry a few lipglosses or keys and phone and the quality is excellent. The Tory Burch Marsden Leather Wallet Crossbody Bag is something I bought during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale over the summer but they still stock it. It’s a great simple pouch. Inside there are slots to hold cards if you don’t want to carry a separate wallet. It’s on the pricey side for the design but still a more affordable option compares to the other designers.

Small Crossbody Bags: Chloe Mini Marcie, YSL Wallet on Chain, Tory Burch Marsden

That wraps up my Chloe Mini Marcie bag review. I really like it! I’m really happy with everything: size, shape, design and the tan color. You can find the Chloe Mini Marcie at a number of places online and in store. I bought mine from Nordstrom. Also available at Chloe, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York.

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What's In My Bag

Summer Date Night Beauty Favorites and Clutch Essentials

July 12, 2016

Summer is in full swing and I thought I’d put together a roundup of some date night beauty favorites for the season. I like to keep things on the makeup side soft and shimmery – pretty much the same as everyday kind of colors but add more on the eyes. A good neutral lip can give a nice polished look and will go with every color of outfit. A good classic red, coral or bright pink lip can add more oomph to your look – if you like a good bright classic, I think the best color and formula right now are from the Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips and Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo lines. If you’re a neutral lip lover, read on for my top picks.

First a note on clutches and pouches. Finding a good classic flat zip clutch is harder than you would think.
For as long as I can remember I’ve been into the simple classic
streamlined zip pouch, but being petite at 5’3″ it’s hard for me to find
one that isn’t too large. I’m forever looking for good classic options. The envelope style is pretty chic (one affordable option featured in this post here also eyeing this nude blush one here) but for some reason my heart belong to the flat zip ones.

My two most-used clutches are the Clare V Leopard Clutch (8″ H x 11″ W) and Truffle Privacy Clutch (6 1/2″ H x 10 1/2″ W). Small compact coin purses or card cases are also essentials for me. Any kind of textured leather makes wallets more sturdy and last longer, the Chanel classic quilted caviar is one of my favorites. The Tory Burch Robinson Coin Case is actually more like card case but also works as a more affordable option but still extremely well made and sturdy.

The best date night fragrances for me, some come in the tiny roller ball or small spritzer version to fit inside a clutch:

  • Diptyque L’Ombre Dans L’Eau which comes in a limited-edition travel size for summer. It’s the fragrance version of Baies candle which I was surprised works well as perfume and has a mix of blackcurrant leaves and rose.
  • Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb is the ultimate date night fragrance (travel spray was taken with me on my summer trip). For daytime I feel like it’s more of a fall/winter fragrance, but I think it’s amazing for summer nights. It’s a hard one to describe but the notes are bergamot, tea, freesia, jasmine, orange blossom, orchid, rose, patchouli.
  • Chloé Eau de Parfume is another favorite, I have a small bottle, but you can find it in a travel size as well, it’s another classic floral with notes of Pink Peony, Freesia, Lychee, Magnolia Flower, Lily of the Valley, Rose, Cedarwood, Amber, Honey.
  • For those who want something more unique, Byredo is always a good option. I bought the Discovery Set over the holiday which has a sampler mix of scents. It’s been discontinued but the current version is the Floral Discovery 6 Piece Set which has Blanche, La Tulipe, Bal D’Afrique, Inflorescence, Flowerhead and Rose Of No Man’s Land. I highly recommend the travel/discovery sets. It’s a great way to try out different ones without having to splurge on the full size bottle. Another option is the Nécessaire de Voyage Eau de Parfum Travel Set which has Black Saffron and Blanche with a case.

For eyes I like shadow sticks because they’re easy to apply and blend with the fingers. They’re great for touch ups or if you’re on the go and compact enough to carry in a clutch if you don’t have time to go back home to fix your makeup for date.

I like a good shimmer for the eyes because it dresses them up a bit whether it’s to add highlight or deepen with a golden smokey shade. Favorites shown and swatched below include:

For lips, I’m all about the soft pink and peachy shades. Current favorites shown below to mix and match or layer:

Shown above but not swatched:

Swatched below:

For pressed powders, the two I’ve been reaching for the most include the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder in No. 20 and Clinique Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder in Stay Neutral. I’ve been on the hunt for a good retractable brush that’s flat but not too small and I finally found one from Hakuhodo which is the H611 Portable Brush. It’s soft and fluffy and super compact. If you don’t need a powder to touch up, but want a good blotting paper to carry to absorb shine, the Tatcha Blotting Papers are the best ones I’ve tried (details on why they’re the best in this review here).

That rounds up my summer date night beauty favorites! As always I’d love to hear what you love to wear and/or carry with you. If you have any favorite clutches or zip pouches – please share! One last note, shoes featured are from Ann Taylor.

Press samples featured include Tatcha Blotting Papers, Tom Ford Lip Color, Edward Bess Lip Definers, Truffle Clutch.

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Fragrance Men's Grooming

Spring Fragrance Rotation for Him and Her

February 12, 2016

When it comes to fragrance, I feel like it takes me forever to pick something new and also forever to use one up. I have a few go-to’s but love trying new things and if you’re like me you will take a long time to build up a fragrance collection. If you’re looking for a new fragrance for spring, here’s what I have in rotation right now. I also have some of my husband’s favorites if you’re looking for gift ideas for any of the special men in your life.


My go-to spring scents are Byredo Black Saffron and Chanel Beige. Even though we have mild somewhat warm weather year round here in Southern California, I still think some fragrances are seasonal. It’s finally that time of year when I feel like I can wear the sweeter florals. Most of these last pretty long on my skin, at least until early afternoon. I do have an extremely sensitive nose though, so what smells strong to me might be non-existent to others. Out of the ones below I would say Byredo, Tom Ford and Creed have the longest lasting power on my skin.
  • Byredo Black Saffron is a mix of berry and musk, I’ve had this one for like forever, it’s one of the few berry scents I can wear because it’s not too sweet yet not too musky
    • Top notes: pomelo, saffron, juniper berry
    • Middle notes: black violet,
      accord cuir, cristal rose
    • Base notes: blonde woods, raspberry, vetiver
  • Byredo Bal D’Afrique is something I am beyond obsessed with, I have this in the single mini from the holiday Discovery Set, it’s a sweeter scent to me it smells kinda peachy and floral all at the same time, I also have it in the oil rollerball version, if you’re debating between the oil or spray, get the traditional spray version, it has better lasting power
    • Top notes: bergamot, lemon, neroli, African marigold, bucchu
    • Middle
      notes: violet, jasmine petals, cyclamen
    • Base notes: black amber, musk,
      vetiver, Moroccan cedarwood
  • Tom Ford Soleil Blanc is one of the latest fragrance launches from Tom Ford, it’s a clean white floral that has a summery beachy feel, there’s a hint of amber in it to prevent it from feeling too powdery or too floral (review here)
  • Chloe Eau de Parfum is one of the most popular fragrances on Sephora’s website, it’s been on my radar for a long time, it’s very soft and girly, for something this strong a floral I’m surprised that I liked it, I decided on the 10th time of trying it in store after spritzing samples on myself to just go ahead and go for it
    • Notes: Pink Peony, Freesia, Lychee, Magnolia Flower, Lily of the Valley, Rose, Cedarwood, Amber, Honey
  • Chanel Beige Exclusifs is one of my all time favorites, it’s one of the only Chanel fragrances I’ve liked enough to splurge on, it’s a clean white and warm floral mix that smells very natural and fresh
    • Notes: Hawthorn, freesia, frangipani, honey
  • L’Artisan Mure et Musc is one of the fragrances I’ve used for the longest period of time, I discovered this line from one of my long-time friends from college, it’s a blackberry musk described as having notes of lemon, basil, blackberry and musk, I feel like this one is my no-fail everyday, every season kind of fragrance
  • Maison Martin Margiela Replica Lipstick On is my newest discovery, it’s a soft feminine blush floral kind of scent that smells like makeup, it’s a floral and has powdery notes, so it surprised me how much I like it because powdery scents typically make me gag, there is a very slight hint of vanilla in it which makes it feel warm and well rounded
    • Notes: Bergamot Oil, Heliotrope Accord, Neroli Oil, Orange Flower Absolute,
      Iris Concrete, Galbanum Oil, Tonka Bean Absolute, Vanilla Bourbon
      Extract, Patchouli Oil
  • Maison Martin Margiela Replica Beach Walk in the rollerball is the prettiest relaxing soothing beachy scents I’ve ever tried, if you’ve smelled the Henri Bendel Beach Candle, this is similar in fragrance form that’s wearable, it smells like a fresh mix of musk and coconut with peppery notes, it’s a beachy scent without the floral notes many others have
    • Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Lemon, Ylang Ylang, Coconut Milk, Heliotrope, Musk, Cedarwood, Benzoin
  • Creed Royal Princess Oud is the most exquisite and most expensive perfume I have ever owned, the Creed team kindly sent me a sample to try – I love Oud fragrances but my husband always says they are too masculine for me (even though I disagree and think they are unisex), this one has a distinct feminine touch to it, this is a lovely mix of violet, iris and sandalwood, lasting power is extremely good, one of the longest lasting fragrances I’ve ever tried
    • Top notes: bitter Sicilian bergamot, rose, sweet violet
    • Middle notes: jasmine, vanilla, patchouli, iris from Tuscany
    • Base: benzoin from Thailand, Mysore sandalwood, styrax
  • Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb is a classic favorite, this one is my special occasion or date night kind of scent to wear, it’s too strong to wear everyday for me, but I know many other women have told me this is their all time favorite, the notes of patchouli are dominant in this one, noticeable floral notes are rose and freesia
    • Notes: Sambac Jasmine, Centifolia Rose, Cattleya Orchid, Ballerina Freesia, Patchouli
My husband is the kind of guy who wants to use 2 colognes at most. I think he smells amazing no matter what he has on so I don’t mind if he wears the same scent on a regular basis, but I’ve been trying to get him to explore more which is where the little mini samples come in. Every time I order something online and they have the option to pick samples I try to find men’s skincare or fragrance minis. If he has a mini sitting on his counter, he will try it. He’s discovered a few new loves this way. Right now here is what he has in rotation:
  • Hermes fragrances can be found at a wide range of retailers, but at the Hermes Boutiques and online they have a Pocket Fragrance Set where you can customize your own travel set of 4 fragrances. You can mix and match any ones they have available, pricing varies depend on what you select, but it’s around the $125ish range, I picked four for him:
    • Voyage d’Hermes Eau de Toilette smells of citrus, musk and leather
    • Voyage d’Hermes Eau de Parfum smells of amber and citrus with a hint of floral, this is more masculine compared to the Eau de Toilette version
    • Terre d’Hermes Eau de Toilette smells like a mix of wood, bitter citrus, spice and vetiver
    • Terre d’Hermes Eau de Parfum is a more masculine, woody, stronger version of the Eau de Toilette
  • Chanel Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette is his favorite fragrance of all time, he’s gone through at least a dozen of the travel size versions and multiples of the full size bottles, every so often they will have gift sets with aftershave or showergel travel size minis that he likes to try, this one is a clean masculine woody scent
  • Dior Sauvage is a lightweight clean masculine scent, it has notes of citrus mixed in with pepper, in terms of everyday scents, he says this is one of them, but he prefers the Chanel Bleu de Chanel, he wanted me to mention that if the man in your life likes something simple but polished and new from his everyday cologne, the Dior is a good one to try
    • Notes: Reggio Bergamot, Sichuan Pepper, Ambroxan
  • Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb comes in a limited-edition gift set trio for Valentine’s Day, this is one of the most peppery fragrances I’ve smelled for men, I thought it might be too strong or peppery for my husband, but for some reason everything transform into an amazing kind of smell on his skin, this one according to him is more for a date night or special occasion kind of fragrance, not for everyday, you can really smell the saffron, vetiver and pink pepper notes
    • Notes: Bergamot, Grapefruit, Cinnamon Leaf, Pink
      Pepper, Lavandin, Chilli, Saffron, Elemi, Vetiver, Balsam Fir, Tobacco Accord, White
      Leather Accord
  • One last men’s fragrance of special note, he also really likes Tom Ford Azure Lime which he is currently out of, I will be getting this for him for Valentine’s Day, it’s a clean fresh masculine scent, for something so clean and simple smelling the notes are really complex
    • Notes: bergamot, lemon, Valencia orange, Thai basil, mint, rosemary,
      lime tonic accord, juniper berry, fennel, iris, jasmine, neroli, orange
      blossom, pittosporum, bucchu leaves, violet leaves, black currant buds,
      cypress, oak, patchouli, sandalwood, moss, skin accord, tonka bean
I always get the best recommendations from my readers of what to try. I’m pretty set on a lot right now, but it’s always nice to explore and add things to the fragrance wishlist. If you have anything you love right now please share. Also if there are any new discoveries for you or the men in your life – let me know in the comments!

Press samples include the Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb, Spicebomb, Maison Margiela Lipstick On and Creed Royal Princess Oud.

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Loving Right Now

Sunday Details and Loves

February 7, 2016

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you’ve been having a great weekend. The sun finally came back here in Southern California and we have weather in the 70s – I can’t tell you how much of a mood lifter this warm weekend has been. I’ve been on a fragrance kick lately, I’ll have a roundup of what I have in rotation soon on the blog. I just picked up my first Maison Martin Margiela in Replica Beach Walk (the rollerball mini) which is the most amazing beachy mix. It has bergamot, coconut milk, lemon, pink pepper, and musk … I think it’s only a matter of time before I pick up the full size spray. Right now I’ve been loving the Chloé Eau de Parfum for a soft femine scent (shown above). I have Love Story on my wishlist but it seems to have a very similar feel to the regular Chloé – if you’ve tried any of the Chloe perfumes please let me know what your favorite is!

Other details today include the Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara Waterproof in Noir (a go-to these days), NARS Blush Duo in Hot Sand + Orgasm (reviewed here) and NARS Babydoll Lip Gloss (such a pretty pink shimmer, lip swatch here). I just started playing with the new Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes last week and am beyond thrilled they’ve re-launched Platinum. It’s one of the best all over lid shades that makes a great easy wash for lazy days. It also makes for a great base for powder shadows. Today I’m testing three layered together. Shown above from top to bottom is Platinum, Opale and Caviar. I have taken photographs of all the shades + swatches, I just need to edit them for a post very soon.

Last but not least, I wanted to do a comparison between two makeup bags. I splurged on the Louis Vuitton Epi Cosmetic Case in Dune last month. The nude pink color is just so pretty and it had been on my wishlist for a long time. I really like the durability and classic look of the Epi line and after thinking about this one for months decided to go for it. A few weeks ago I featured the Tory Burch York Cosmetic Case in my Valentine’s Day Gift Guide round up post as a less expensive alternative (it’s still on the pricey side, but more affordable). I purchased one in Light Oak which is a nude pink color. It’s made of Saffiano textured leather and very sturdy. (More colors here.) If you’re looking to treat yourself, a friend or a loved one on a pretty cosmetic case, I think either of these are great.

Here’s a side by side comparison. The one from Tory Burch is slightly smaller in size compared to the one from Louis Vuitton, but the overall shape and function is the same.

Tory Burch Small York Case measures 6″W x 4″H x 2 ½”D
Louis Vuitton Epi Cosmetic Case measures 6.7″ x 4.7″ x 2.4″ inches

I hope you are enjoying the last bits of your weekend! If you have any new beauty discoveries, or found some items in your stash that you have rediscovered, I’ve love to hear about what you are loving right now! P.S. if you’re a fan of the Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipsticks note they are being discontinued so if you have any favorite shades you might want to stock up. On February 12th they will be launching a new lipstick formula (30+ shades) – I can’t to share more details with you.

Some press samples featured above include NARS Babydoll Lip Gloss, Tom Ford Platinum and Opale Cream Shadows.
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Uncategorized

Chloé Eau de Fleurs, Lavande

April 12, 2010
I am very excited to write my fragrance post! The topic of fragrance is a challenge for me because I typically don’t wear fragrance and have extreme perfume A.D.D. – but I am excited to tell you I have recently found one I have fallen in love with from Chloé: the new Eau de Fleurs in Lavande. So here is my first fragrance post!

My Chloé Experience: I have smelled the regular Chloé on various visits to the fragrance counters. While I loved it on the little spray card, I found it slightly too strong for my liking on my arm. I was thrilled to find out that Chloé recently released a trio of Eau De Toilettes (initially exclusive to Saks Fifth Avenue) in three scents: Neroli, Capucine, and Lavande. I had high hopes that I would fall in love with at least one. My favorites were Neroli (citrusy) & Lavande (like the regular Chloé, but softer) and I opted for the more neutral less citrus-like option, Lavande.

Lavande is described as “feminine and elegant, tinged with citrus, violet leaves and sweetened with musk.” I am horrible at describing fragrances, but I would describe the Lavande as a softer more gentle version of the original Chloé. Those who like stronger scents or want something that lasts a long time might not like these since they are definitely on the softer side. The lasting power of these isn’t the best and fades within a few hours, but I personally prefer scents like that.

The Chloé Eau de Fleurs in Lavande retails for $135 for 3.4 oz. The release was initially exclusive to Saks, but is now offered at other retail locations as well.



A bit of background on my fragrance likes/history: I typically opt for scented shower gels and sometimes a scented lotion, but most fragrances induce a severe migraine for me within 1 hour. After that point, I cannot stand even the slightest whiff of that particular fragrance again. Oddly enough, I love the smell of perfumes and colognes on my friends and especially my husband. I just have a difficult time finding one I can wear myself.

What draws me to a certain fragrance? It’s all in the packaging. I go for the pretty bottles – particularly clear glass bottles. If the bottle is too abstract, too bulky, or a hideous color, I won’t even go near it to smell. For the actual fragrance, I don’t know what I like, I just know what I don’t like which is heavy, highly floral, extreme sweets, rich spices – I think that eliminates most fragrances right there, so you can imagine the challenge for me!

What fragrances have I purchased in the past? Gucci Rush 2, Bobbi Brown Bath, and Marc Jacobs Cucumber Splash. Yet I have never even come close to finishing a bottle. All of these have either been gifted away or tossed. I like Estee Lauder’s Sensuous but hate the bottle so I’ve never purchased it, but occasionally spritz a little bit of my sample on my wrists. I have my eye on Acqua di Parma’s Mirto di Panarea which I tested at SpaceNK before. However, it is very hard for me to find near me, I can find almost all the other Acqua di Parma scents though, just not this one!

What fragrances do you like? I’m open to recommendations of what you all love.

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