L'Occitane Hair Care - Repairing Oil and Control Mist

My history...

When I was in Paris, I saw a lot of L'Occitane shop around city. I had a chance on trying some of their products a few years ago but the high price tag hindered me from being their customer. After hours of waiting for my train at Paris Gare Du Nord, I took a lap at their shops (there is no tax-free shop in here). I went into the L'Occitane shop. I tried their repairing oil and OMG!!! I totally hooked...

Let me me share my experience with you...

Transform your hair from dry and damaged to strong and shiny. The formula captures all the effectiveness of sweet almond oil, rich vitamins and Omega 9, as well as five essential oil with regenerating properties. Just a few drops of this treatment applied to the tips of hair before styling or blow drying - L'Occitane

I can't remember how much I paid for this hair oil in Euro but you can get it in UK outlet for £15 (100mL). Still a permissible amount for travelling. I have been using this for 4 months plus now. From summer to autumn. I found this oil is amazing.  It's now 'heavy' for summer and its adequate for autumn. Apart from the divine smell, it totally work! I just need one pump for my whole hair. If I'm planning for an up-do, I used a little bit more.  

My hair feel so much softer afterwards and smell tremendously great, like wearing a perfume on your hair. I'm not exaggerating, giggles... The texture improved after a few weeks of usage. And again, my hair is well moisturised without being oily and weighting down. 

The repairing oil pump

One doesn't enough isn't? So, I bought another product under the same range; Control Mist for dry & damaged hair (£14.50 for 100mL). I use this hair mist in between washes as the repairing oil would be too 'heavy' for me. The mist is more watery and light in texture, perfect for everyday. It's also perfect to remove unpleasant odours (cigarette and cooking odours). 

The Control Mist spray

p/s - my other half loves it too (the first ever product that I bought that he totally get, LOL!). If an alpha male with a rocker hair loves it, why don't you? :)

Anecdote 2017: Sadly this product is not available in Malaysia

Marlow Zip Clutch by Fossil

Marlow Zip Clutch in Navy. Refined hardware, glazed leather and season perfect colour. The clutch has the perfect place to store your necessities.

Details;

• Closure: Zipper
• Exterior details: zip pockets
• Interior details: 12 credit cards slots, 1 leather ID slot, 2 slide pockets, 2 gusseted pockets, 1 interior zip pocket
• Interior materials: leather and jacquard lining - 100% polyester
• Material: leather
• Measurement: 20.5 x 2 x 11 cm

RRP: £55

Outlet: £24.99

Autumn / Winter Beauty Haul and Favourite!

Living in four seasons country is quite tricky. You have to change your lifestyle every 3-4 months and keep on changing or finding a suitable body care or skincare to suit your need... It's getting cold and the air is getting dryer. Not to mention that your skin will getting dryer indoor due to heater...

Now I'm changing my beauty regime to extra moisturising type and creamy texture skincare. Without further a due, I present to you my Autumn-Winter favourite!

From top left clockwise: Lancome Teint Miracle (04), Lancome Advanced Genefique, Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser, L'occitane Repairing Oil & Mist and Clarins Extra Comfort Cleansing Cream.

Longchamp Bag Hunt at Paris

Discover Paris Magazine

For my second trip to Paris in 2013, I aimed to buy Longchamp bags. I did 'homework' vigorously on what, where, how to shop... This is my experience...

My first Longchamp stop was at 404, Rue Saint Honore, Paris. Pretty decent boutique with full collections. I was looking for long handle large shopping bag but unfortunately, it was not available. Well, no problem as I just arrived and I have two more days to go.

The next day, I went to La Vallee Vilage (a sister outlet as Bicester Village, Oxford UK). I went there by special tour bus that costed me €22 return. We were given a special Ralph Lauren voucher and three VIP voucher each. These voucher enable you to have additional 10% discount in all shops. My mind was spinning like a top, planning to splurge at the Longchamp boutique or maybe MK. The Longchamp boutique is situated near the customer service kiosk. So, Longchamp is the first designer brand that you will see. I went it and my heart sunk. Just 4 designs of Le Pliage! Are you kidding me? And to add to the heartbreak, no long handle... I asked the sales assistant about the available stock. She explained that they were experiencing a shortage of Le Pliage stock due to the high summer holiday demand. OMG! I just crossed the English Channel for nothing. So, to mend a broken heart, my husband bought me the available Le Pliage; orange (small) and light green (medium) short handle. The price? Incredibly cheap! That was made me super frustrated and little bit furious because I can't buy Le Pliage at the cheap price. I can't remember the price as I lost the receipt. From estimation, the price (before 10% VIP discount) for the small Le Pliage was €28 and Medium Le Pliage was €36. If you're looking for the leather Longchamp bag or any other collections, you might be lucky but not Le Pliage. Recommended but just count your blessing when you go there.

La Vallee Village Directory

Printemps Paris Advert

When I went back to Paris, I rushed to Printemps (equivalent to London's Harrod's). Because of that day was Saturday, I have to go there before closing time because Printemps is close on Sunday. Printemps is really big shopping complex; even has 2 or 3 seperate buildings. They have 2 Longchamp sections; on the ground floor and lower ground floor. The lower ground section has more collections than the ground floor- so, you should head to lower ground level. My experience? Horrible! Both on the customers and also the sales assistant- especially the cashier. I went there during weekend, obviously the complex was swarmed by tourists. Rude tourist. I would not named their nationality; I don't want to be racist but their attitude just like monkey tried to grab a banana. One of them even tried to take a bag that I was holding. Even when a sales assistant told them that they have to wait to be served, they just barged in and still demanded for the bag. Idiots!

The 'useless' discount voucher (front)

The price at Printemps is RRP. In Printemps, they have a system. You will choose the item that you want and they will write it on a piece of ticket. The ticket has 2 parts; you will hold the first part and the second part will be pass on to the store room. Then, you bring it to the cashier and pay. Simple isn't? But not, when you were cramped with hundreds of customers like a sardines in a can. Communication can be tricky and could lead to heated arguments. I do understand after hours of working, and tried to explain to non-English/French speaking tourists, you tend to break at some point, but don't take it to another customer... Well, never ever again going to shop at this place. Better to go to a smaller Longchamp boutique. Printemps gives this 10% discount voucher to foreign visitors but it cannot be use with Longchamp merchandises.

The 'useless' discount voucher (back)

Hurm. I bought Le Pliage in Lilac ♥ at Printemps...

In conclusion...

From my point of view, there is no difference between buying Le Pliage at UK and Paris although Paris has the outlet at La Vallee Village, but again count your blessing if you're looking for Le Pliage collections. With a weak GBP to Euro conversion, just spend your money at home... As I discovered, buying Le Pliage at Heathrow Airport is cheaper.

p/s- you need to spend at least €175 for 12% tax return. Only eligible for non-EU tourist(s).

Me and MICHAEL Michael Kors Jet Set Logo Top Zip Tote - Love in Paris

Image from Michael Kors website

I'm a fan of Michael Kors Jet Set tote and Hamilton but a little bit sceptical about the non-zip / open tote design - safety reasons. The tote was made from PVC; in my opinion, MK is an over price bag. But never the less, I couldn't help on getting one.... Naughty!

I bought MK Jet Set Logo Top Zip Tote at La Vallee Village Designer Outlet, Paris last summer. I can't remember the outlet price but I paid around €100 (after 10% VIP member). Retail price €200++. I couldn't be more happier. Then, I swapped my Le Pliage to this new bag and paraded it around Paris.

My review...
This tote has an excellent design with additional two winged pockets and the famous MK gold medallion - appropriately put. I'm comfortable with the size; not too big yet not small either. It quite light; maybe because of the materials used (not a real leather). Inside the bag; It has four inside open pockets and one zipped pocket - again intelligently designed. The lining made from thick quality satin with MK monogram.

Note: I bought the outlet version; some of the bag features have been 'downgraded' to meet the 'outlet price'. The most notable difference are the handle / shoulder strap and the satin lining.

I once used it during rain, and I was soaked wet. When I got home, I wiped it with a dry cloth and the bag is still in a good shape. Hooray for PVC???

Looking at the design, it is a well designed bag but looking at the price, hurm I'm not sure... But again, heart wants what the heart wants...