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Friday, April 27, 2012

The Friday Forum - April 27

Yesterday, when I was at my mother's house to lay out her medication for the week, I put peanuts in the shell out for the birds, squirrels, and, of course, foxes. I had seen mama fox when I went inside, and I wanted her to have a treat. When I went outside later, there was our new baby! He was about the size of my cat Charlie, and he was absolutely adorable.

Although he has a red fox mother, he has a lot of grey in him. I'm not sure whether his red coat will develop or whether he will stay a combo color. I'm going to take my camera with me each time I go to try to get a photo of him. This photo came from a greeting card.

I had a great time last week at the By Kilian event at Saks Tysons Galleria. I still need to write up my experience. I'll do that this weekend. Mid-week, I attended the Kiehl's grand opening at Tysons Corner Center. They sure know how to throw a party! Tomorrow, I've got another beauty event on tap. What a fun week for beauty!

I also paid a visit to "my neurosurgeon," a really nice guy who happens to be among the most talented neurosurgeons around. We talked about the recurrence of my pinched nerve symptoms, which include pain that radiates from my neck to my fingertips, along with tingling that's almost as annoying as the pain. If I spend more time with symptoms than without, I may end up having to have surgery. That will be a last-ditch move for me! The whole idea of having a "basket" and metal plate in my cervical spine is creepy. Supposedly, the surgery is a piece of cake (for the patient), but still.

This was quite a week for Le Métier de Beauté fans who wanted On the Coast. It was posted at Saks.com earlier than expected - Saturday, rather than Monday - and it sold out by Sunday morning. Those who had read here or on Facebook that it would be available on Monday were furious. Le Métier de Beauté listened to its loyal customers and worked with Saks.com to make more Kaleidoscopes available. It was once again posted as a "back order," and it sold out quickly - again. Then, interestingly, after showing as unavailable/sold out, it became available a third time. A friend in France wanted one. When I checked to attempt to order for her the first time, the second batch had sold out. Then I went back the next day, and it was available again. Unless something weird happens, I expect to receive it "before May 22" so that I can send it on its way to France.

There are many lessons here - for brands, retailers, and customers. From a customer perspective, I'd recommend you check early and often when you expect a product launch. I always do that at Sephora, and I always find the product I want at least a day before Sephora notifies me that it's in stock. Speaking of Le Métier de Beauté, did any of you attend the special events at Saks San Francisco or Short Hills?

It's time for The Friday Forum, our open chat. What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By early the next week, most (not all) readers will have moved on.

Don't forget this week's giveaway contest for Bobbi Brown's gorgeous Lip & Eye Palette. The deadline for entries is tomorrow, April 28, at midnight.

Photo courtesy of fineartamerica.com

23 comments:

  1. I ended up holding off on the Coast kit because I really wanted Golden Gate Girl. I was able order that one over the phone and am waiting 'patiently' for it to arrive. Then when the 2nd and 3rd On the Coasts were released and I hit the site at the right time, I bought that one too! Yikes. I'm dying to see some EOTD for either - any floating out there on the interwebs?

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  2. hey CG
    do post the pics soon and may you and your mom stay healthy
    good for your french friend
    i got escada summer fragrance

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  3. Talk about BTiB, I bet that baby fox is absolutely adorable. And how trusting mama fox is to bring her baby to show off to you. I wonder if the gray in the little kit's coat is part of the camoflage that so many baby critters sport. It will be interesting to see.

    This week I received my Guerlain order and also picked up some Chanel which arrived on counter a week earlier than I had expected. The Guerlain is lovely and I'm very happy with my selections. I bought the Météorites and the cute little Pucci brush which is much better in quality than Guerlain's pink Météorite brush. I also got that scrumptious coral gloss. Then, for my BFF's birthday, I bought the Terra Azzura bronzer/blusher which will look gorgeous on her. She's gone through a bit of a bad patch and could use some extra sunshine in her life.

    As for Chanel, I must say I wasn't particularly inspired. It's not a bad collection by any means. It's just that there isn't anything really unusual or special. I did pick up a few items, though. I bought the eyeshadow duo in Sable Émouvant which I know I'll be reaching for whenever I want an effortless, fun-in-the-sun look. With the same thought in mind, I bought the pencil in Pêche Cuivre which is a soft, light peach with a bit of iridescence. It looks very pretty by the tear duct and along the lower waterline. It just brings a subtle bit of sparkle to the eyes. And, last, but not least, I bought the nail polish in Delight. And, a delight it is! I'm sitting here right now admiring it on my toes :-)

    I hope your mom is improving a bit every day and that a bit of the pressure has lifted from your shoulders. It's still a huge responsibility, to be sure, but at least you're no longer in crisis mode. As for back surgery, you'll know when the time is right and do what needs to be done to preserve the quality of your life. You're such an active and vibrant person. I'm sure you don't like the idea of anything holding you back.

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  4. Happy Friday!
    I, too, always check sites early for releases. I sometimes find a product by searching for the name when I don't see it anywhere else on the site.

    I hope you're able to get some pictures of the new kit. I'd love to see them!

    My only purchase this week was the new Zoya trio for Birchbox. I loved the swatches I saw and I've really gotten into layering nail polishes, which these seem to be good for. I'm very excited for them to arrive.

    I'm trying to decide if I need the beige Chanel bronzer. The only bronzer I own is last year's Chanel in the rose, which I mainly use as a blush. I like the beige because it could work well with the redness in my cheeks. Decisions, decisions...

    Have a great weekend all!

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  5. Oh what a cute baby fox! I never had the opportunity to see a real one, only caught glimpses of adults running in the woods!
    How many foxes do you have living near by? It must be gorgeous to see the mama fox playing with the little ones (keep your camera with you!)
    I do hope your pinched nerve symptoms will subside now you have less pressure and stress upon you and I hope your mother's recovery helps too!
    I didn't discover anything this week but plan to go and see (buy too, I'm afraid) some Guerlain Shine Automatiques,Chanel's and Dior's lipsticks new shades!
    Actually, I DID discover a new product! The LMdB On the Coast on your blog and I'm over the moon thinking I'll play with it by the end of May: you're a star and my brilliant and delightful friend, Charlestongirl ♥

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  6. Hello,

    I just came home from the hospital after three with the exact surgery you need. I too exibited the exact systoms you have. I was manifisting a conctricted nerve around the C5/6/7 nerve exiting to my right shoulder, arm and fingers in my right hand. This an arthritic problem I had for several months. It finally got so bad I had to seek out a Orthopedic Spine Surgeon here in my local area (Fort Worth, Texas), He performed a 2 hour procedure which reveived the pain completely with one surgery. I only had to stay IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 3 DAYS. The pain I suffered from the arthritic condition is COMPLETLY GONE!!!!! All I have to do is manage the pain from the surgery and wear a neck brace for a while. The surgeon is Dr. James Brazina and hi phone number is 817-335-4316 and his office is the Texas Bone and Joint Clinic. I beleive he may be able to help you too!

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  7. Hi CG,

    This week I bought the new Chanel nail polishes in Delight and Island. Macys had them last weekend. I was also browsing the new arrivals on the Nordstrom website and fell in love with the new YSL Terre Saharienne - Poudre de Soleil Bronzing Powder SPF 12 in Healthy Glow. It's on its way to me. I also got a beauty catalog in the mail from Bergdorf Goodman and saw that they are going to have an exclusive LMdB eye kaledioscope, lip cremes and nail polish. I called and put my name on the list for the lip cremes. He said they should be in by the end of May. I was wondering if you have heard anything about the new Tom Ford bronzers and when they are going to be available.

    I hope you're not in too much pain and that you have a great weekend.

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  8. Cute picture of that new baby fox!

    I am glad that your mom is continuing to improve. I know that is a weight lifted off of your shoulders to be moving into more of a maintenance phase rather than crisis.

    Makeup highlight of the week was winning a Chanel polish. I've drooled over Chanel polishes for years but just can't bring myself to spend the $ on them. In my mind, it can't be that different than OPI, Zoya, etc. Am I going to be head over heels with this polish?

    I was amazed at the drama surrounding the LMdB kaleidoscope! I certainly understand the frustration of the shoppers who found it sold out due to it being released early on the site. I applaud LMdB's efforts to meet the demand - very unprecedented. I was surprised but pleased at the steps they took. I know there were those that said they would 'never' shop LMdB again due to the kerfuffle. IMO - yes, it's a gorgeous palette but it's only makeup. There will be more LMdB kaleidoscopes to come - that I'm sure of!

    I'm sorry to hear that you are having continued pain radiating down your arm. I know that it is no fun at all. : ( I had the surgery you are referring to last Oct. Due to the deterioration in the neck my neurosurgeon said that surgery had to be done before a similar procedure could be done in my lumbar spine. I am about 9 weeks post-surgery on my back surgery. I would be happy to converse more offline, if you are interested. Sounds like we have some similar issues! I have enjoyed having more time to peruse blogs, etc during my time off!

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  9. Silly me, I looked at the BG catalog again and the Tom Ford bronzer was on the back cover. I called to see when they would get them in and they just got them in yesterday so I ordered one in Terra which is the matte one. They also have gold dust which is a shimmer. Can't wait to get it!

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  10. Hey there, Emily,

    I want to hear about your Golden Gate Girl! I didn't order it. There's a limit, even for me. I am running out of money.

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  11. Hi Mahwish!

    Thanks for the wishes for Mom. Enjoy your new fragrance. I'm wearing a new-to-me tuberose fragrance that came today, and I'm loving it.

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  12. Hey Eileen,

    I ALMOST bought that Pêche Cuivre the first moment I saw it. Then I got realistic and realized that LMdB Champagne would give me the same effect. EXCEPT, I may buy it tomorrow at Bloomies. I'm still regretting leaving it there. Otherwise, I agree. I love the bronzers and Rouge Coco Shines, but there was nothing else there I HAD to have.

    Mom goes up and down. We are struggling with finding the right new caregiver. Fear we need to make another change.

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  13. Hi CGirl,

    Decisions! You know my mantra...Buy too much and decide later. :)

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  14. Hi Clarisse,

    I want to hug that little fox!

    I got your GWP in the mail this week, but not On the Coast. Stay tuned!

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  15. Thanks, Anonymous.

    I have complete confidence in my neurosurgeon. He is chief of neurosurgery and saved my mother's life with emergency brain surgery after a subdural hematoma. I know he can do it right. My only question is when. Like you, I'm looking forward to no pain.

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  16. Hey Jo,

    Those LMdB items are exclusive to NM and BG. Can't wait to see them!

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  17. Oh yeah, Lov2read, we need to talk!

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  18. CG, the BG & NM LMdB eye kaledioscope looks a lot like On the Coast.

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  19. I just bought 2 of the 4 new Chantecaille lip glosses: the light coral one and bright-ish coral. They have more pigment than the other glosses and are comfortable and very pretty. The SA thought that neither the pink/nude nor the bronze/brown would be flattering. I'm happy with that purchase. At the same time, I needed to buy a new mascara. I've tried practically everything and used to like the Kiehl's Mineral Mascara, which they discontinued. The Chantecaille mascara is $40 and I wasn't ready to spend that much. She recommended the Trish McEvoy tubing mascara with the tiny brush. Not sure yet if I like it though.
    Shelley

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  20. I love seeing nature, especially here in the city where I think wildlife, particularly birds, have really been making a comeback since my childhood. I wish we had foxes but I have a lot of feathered visitors to our birdbaths which is great. I saw a new bird the other day that I have yet to identify and it's so exciting to see a new visitor to the yard.

    I needed a little reward for myself so I wandered into Sephora and picked up one of their new cream blushes, another Rouge G and the Givenchy Croisiere #1. Time to play with makeup.

    I hope both you and your mother will be improving and having a more stress free life. I think you both need some nice spa time, even if it's creating a spa at home.

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  21. What a cute fox! I've never seen one in real life but have a favorite photo of one that I keep.

    I hope you feel better soon, Charlestongirl.

    I've got an appointment with Richard Marquez tomorrow at Saks SF and am very excited. There are hardly any LM events in SF I hope they start having more. I'll pick up the Golden Gate kaleidoscope for sure (if they still have one).

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  22. Thanks for keeping us all updated on the new launches from Dior and Guerlain. The Croisette collection is stunning!

    Some of my neimanmarcus.com beauty purchases are shipping from stores as opposed to the warehouse in Texas -- have you noticed this at all? I wonder if this is a new store policy.

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  23. I'm a bit late here but better than never, I hope. Wonderful fox! We have them around our area too and I'm always happy to see them~ excellent at squirrel control :-)

    We just returned from a whirlwind, European holiday. Bought a bottle of Guerlain Duet Jasmin Lilas which was surprising as i didn't care for the original Idylle. Also bought a bottle of Phaedon's rue des Lilas which is a very unusual and beautiful take on lilac with it's balsamic note.

    I also got to play with some Rouge Bunny Rouge testers at Neroli in Budapest. Big disappointment there as I was ready to buy a blusher and Sea of Tranquility but they were out of stock on both! I checked Zuneta and their markup is significant. I'll just have to wait for now.

    YOur poor back. It's been awful to you lately but I'm glad you're finally considering the surgical option. You deserve relief! We'll be at your side in spirit, dear C-girl, we want you at your best <3

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