Hello Ebates

So I just had a baby boy 9 weeks ago. His name is James and he’s been keeping me busy. A week ago we arrived with baby and dog in Big Pine Key Florida. We figured a winter in Florida would be easier than a winter bundled up in cold Verbier Switzerland. So we rented out the house and rented Sunset View from Walkabout retreats. It’s great to be in the warmer weather and on the water. I do hate the no see ums  and would love to live in a mesh suit every time I go outside. Big Pine Key is very far from it all. You can kind of tell by the amount of chickens and roosters in the supermarket parking lot! So moving here for three months involved a little advanced planning and some diaper, bottle, playpen and toy supplies from diapers.com. I even bought a fabulous Maclaren XLR stroller from this year from the baby product store  on Ebay for $275  (instead of $359) along with a $20.00 Kate Spade baby blanket that was originally $70.00.

Stroller

The best thing I’ve discovered is Ebates! Start every online  shopping expedition from Ebates and you are likely to get an extra 2-5% back. Victoria’s Secret, Sears, Target, Bluefly, Sephora, Drugstore, Neiman Marcus, Backcountry, Macy’s and many more are affiliated. All other deals and coupons are listed as well for each affiliated site. I am in heaven! There is no trick or weird payback system either. Any money you save from Ebates is easily credited to your paypal account.

Revolve Clothing Instyle09 code

Coupon code Instyle09 is valid until the 30th September 2009 on Revolve Clothing; better known for carrying every cool jeans brand available to man. I bought some great items by Yummy Tummy, Theory, James Perse and Free People. I’m not sure but I think the Stay Bram tank top by Theory is so packed with stretch that it will keep any extra bits around the tummy in place.

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Free People Sweater…so cool it will be out of stock before you know it.

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Bedat & Co. Watch being given away (almost)

Today only on World of Watches get a $4950 Bedat&co.  Men’s No. 7 Chronograph Stainless Steel watch for $695. I would have bought one in about 2 secs but they only ship to US and Canada. OMG this is such a deal. The deal finishes today.

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Skin Savings

Today,  31 August 2009, is the last day for using 20AUG code at the SkinStore. The code gives you 20% off your purchase. They carry great brands like Korres, Molton Brown, Strivectin, Stila, Prevage and SkinMedica. I would highly recommend the TNS recovery complex despite it’s distinct cow barn smell. Also, check out the Special Offers for additional gifts you can get for particular brand purchases. The shipping for international buyers is pretty cheap on this site as well (I spent $140 and shipping was $15). For the US shipping is free from $49 purchases. The only downside is that they stopped shipping certain items like SkinMedica to Europe. But why? Don’t we get to be wrinkle free in Europe?

Korres

Best Coffee Ever

Hana Bay Coffee

I am a total coffee addict. I would holiday in Italy or Portugal for good coffee. In France and Switzerland the coffee sucks. In the U.S. it can be good but Starbucks really blows. The kiwis and aussies know their coffee well and make it well. I live in Switzerland so I make my own coffee but supermarket bought coffee isn’t great…not even Lavazza. A few months ago a friend bought me some Hana Bay Coffee  beans (Sumatra organic) from Hawaii and it was heavenly…mmmmmmh. The downside was that I only allowed myself one cup a day while my husband was having extraordinary amounts of it and the pound of coffee was rapidly disappearing.  Guess what…they have a website ( Hana Bay Coffee) and they deliver worldwide ground or beans…..I tried every variety and every blend and the Sumatra Organic wins hands down.

For the record: I drink cappucinos made with a Miele built in Coffee system (CVA 615 Espresso machine). This may seem

like an outrageous spend ( approx. $2000 at the time) but we’ve had it for 4 years and made over 2500 cappucinos, espressos, hot chocolates, macchiatos and teas with it. I think I had it paid off when I hit 1000.

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Happy coffees!

 

Feel Like A Star

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OK so I’m quite a bit lumpier than this chick and my boobs are deflated compared to hers but the bikini rocks.  Normally white sucks for durability (wear it once and it’s done) but at $29.00 for the halter top and bikini bottom who cares?

Get the star printed bikini from Victoria’s Secret and be a superstar, with a metallic print and star hardware detail. Pick your top and bottom sizes separately.

• Banded halter with front metallic hardware
• Wide elastic band for added support
• Lined cups; white is double-lined
• Ties at neck
• Adjustable back closure

Odd looking Alinghi

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WTF is Alinghi doing pairing up with odd underwear company Odlo? They’ve just launched a new shop in shop in Jelmoli in Zurich. Very cool in the sailor chic dept North Sails was unwilling to pay a $10 million price tag to be Alinghi’s partner. What did they get out of boring old Odlo. I can’t imagine much as Alinghi is just not that cool anymore.

Revolve Tulip Code

This 15% code on revolve clothing is alive and well. I just tested. It has not expired. Go ahead buy something.

Photos can be deceiving (this is a rant)

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and I mean that in every sense: from when you are buying a cute Michael Kors cashmere sweater to a cheap Gap sweater to renting a house in the Bahamas (yes I even shop for my holidays online…who doesn’t?). I’ve always been a huge fan of the Bahamas (except Nassau and Freeport). After a perfect experience renting Senga na Lenga  on Winding bay  in Eleuthera at Christmas,  I was so disappointed renting Yellowtail Cottage on Lubbers Quarters Abaco a few months later. The mattresses are 20 year old foam that slide off the wood frame bed, there is nothing comfortable to sit on in the living room, the rooms are only partitioned with walls (no ceilings), the kitchen is ill equipped with no staples to get you started (not even sugar or a spice rack), the roof is leaky, there is touch and go wifi which you have to pay for, lights that don’t work (bare light bulbs that don’t work as well) not enough towels or toilet paper and a noisy water pump. On the plus side Yellowtail Cottage comes with a boat which is nice as there is no other method of transportation and ummh it is in the Bahamas.

Senga na Lenga, on the other hand comes with a spice rack, a few other necessities, enough toilet paper to last 5 days, toys for the sea (kayaks, snorkels etc…),free wifi, and modern amenities.  Owner, Paul Hardy, has done everything to make his rental spectacular and comfortable. So, before you rent make sure you ask all the right questions because the ad won’t necessarily answer them!!

JT code turns to Tulip on Revolve Clothing

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TULIP has now replaced JT as an on-going 15% off discount code on Revolve Clothing, but the new list of restricted brands has grown  hugely(i.e. brands that the discount code will not work on):

7 for All Mankind, A Lawless, Apolis Activism, Band of Brands and Botkier, Cheap Monday, Citizens of Humanity, Clu, Common Projects, Dolce and Gabbana, Goldenblue, Gustto, Hudson Jeans, JBrand, Joe’s Jeans, Jovovich Hawk, Juicy, Kooba, Lutz and Patmos, Nudie Jeans, Paige Denim, Rebecca Minkoff, Rock and Republic, Rogues Gallery, Rose, Sea, Treesje, True Religion and Vena Cava.

If you are desperate to use a discount code for a restricted brand, your only option is JESSICASTYLE for 10% off - this being an earlier code that still works on most restricted brands for now.

Well at least James Perse and Da-nang aren’t on the list yet!

Desperately seeking Paraben Free Products

I’ve spent many years thinking that all natural creams and beauty products produced wrinkly wild haired hippy lady witches and to a certain extent I still think I’m right about that. Then I saw a TV show about parabens and how our body reacts to them as if they are hormones. Basically they turn boys into girls and give girl breast cancer (really, really very edited and summed up information here).  So daily, many of us (including yours truly) slather ourselves with Nivea, Body Shop or some other body cream and we are slathering on parabens which stay in our bodies for many hours….and then within 24 hours we do it again! While I still beleive in the most expensive beauty creams possible (in many instances) I decided to give up the Nivea, Bath and Body Works etc.. and look for paraben free body creams.

Thus far I have tried the following 4:

Melvita Hydrating and Body Cream with Avocado, Kigelia and cacao: Smells like teenage chewing gum, sticky marshmallow consistency and doesn’t spread easily. I think I will give some of their other products a try as they are all natural

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Gamarade voile Lacté: A French brand that smells like heaven and is quite expensive. There is not much choice in the body hydrating department but smells much better than the previously mentioned melvita product. They use only 100% natural and organic ingredients.

Living Nature Nourishing Hand and Body Cream:  Super expensive stuff from New Zealand but on the plus side they have a webshop and offer free shipping on orders of $100.00 or more. It’s packed with Manuka honey which on some days smells a bit odd to me. I’m sure it’s good for me though! Here’s what they say about themselves: Living Nature is one of the world’s most truly natural skincare ranges, and was one of the first companies to produce skincare without the use of synthetic preservatives. Blending science and nature to create a highly potent, botanical product, Living Nature remains at the cutting edge of natural skincare and cosmetics.

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Weleda  mallow body lotion: Is the best smelling body cream I’ve tried so far! It is also probably the most well known as you can find it in Target and every European pharmacy and drugstore. This is how they describe their product:

Dry, sensitive skin gets intensive nourishment with this potent and soothing lotion. It’s a rich, creamy lotion that smoothes and softens your dry skin and protects it against dehydration.

You  immediately feel the luxurious sensation of our organic mallow extract, packed with medicinal and anti-inflammatory properties that smooth and soften your skin. The essential fatty acids in our apricot kernel oil nourish, moisturize and replenish your skin. Your skin is further soothed by mild antiseptic properties in our organic pansy extract that calms dry irritation, and protected from moisture loss by richly-nourishing macadamia seed oil. Underneath a light fragrance of light citrus and flowers, your skin feels soft, smooth and supple. Dry, sensitive skin is restored to naturally healthy condition, moisturized and mellowed by the power of mallow.

As another plus it is less than half the price of the living nature cream ( sells it for approx. $15.00) and smells divine all day.

Just a little addicted to Bottega Veneta

botvet.jpg Just bought this amazing Bottega Veneta dark pink messenger bag from bluefly for $854 instead of $1520. It looks like candy. Yum. Bluefly is offering a day long 25% off sale items. I also bought two Hayden cashmere sweaters for $69.00 each. If only they sold patent leather Louis Vuitton monogram vernis sarah wallets too then I would be in heaven. I need one in pink or orange…I forgot that my fire engine red patent leather Kate Spade wallet won’t match.

How are We supposed to take Philippe Starck Seriously?

The Herald Tribune wrote on Aug. 1 2008 that Starck would have his new windmill out in the fall. It’s now almost spring!! The only thing the IHT does get write in the article is ” it’s been a long time since the design world felt that it had to take Starck seriously”. I wish someone would tell us something. ie: it sucks, it will never come out or we’ve been delayed by a few months. Come on? Shouldn’t this be on the brutally hip Starck website?

Ojon Hair care on Ebay

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I just bought the small tub of Ojon RESTORATIVE HAIR TREATMENT for $5.50 on Ebay. YOu can find it at Sephora for $22.00.  It’s a yummy smelling product that you can massage into your scalp and hair to leave over night. The description below says the tub will last you 3-5 weeks. It always lasts me several months.

• instantly hydrates, strengthens, and restores dry, damaged hair
• leaves hair extraordinarily soft, silky, shiny, and manageable
• even healthy hair shows a noticeable improvement
• contains Omega-3, 6, and 9 essential fatty acids
• highly concentrated so a little goes a long way; 3-5 months of weekly treatments in each jar
• contains no water or silicones that can dilute the formula and cause build-up on the hair
• color safe, 99% natural, free of preservatives and dyes

 
 
 

The story of How Ojon was discovered and founded is a pretty amazing story:

In a remarkable story of serendipity, Ojon started as a mysterious “brown paste” that made its way into the home of Ojon founder Denis Simioni, a former ad executive with more than a decade of experience in the beauty business. While visiting Simioni, a relative left behind a baby food jar filled with the unusual paste, calling it an ancient remedy for damaged hair and skin. The jar sat untouched on a shelf for two years.

One day Simioni became curious and decided to try it. The results were instant and incredible—like nothing he had ever seen. His background in beauty sent him on an adventure to learn everything he could about the mysterious oil.

What he learned was that the jar was purchased from a Central American Indian who traveled to the local market to sell the oil in Tegucigalpa, Honduras once a month. He also learned that the paste came from a tropical “Ojon tree” and was the only source of the precious oil. The tree was unique to the rainforest in the Mosquitia region of Central America and, although the Mosquito Indians had been using wild-crafted Ojon oil for centuries to clean, condition, and protect their hair and skin, it had never been exported beyond the region.

Before long, Denis and his colleagues were on a plane to Honduras to find out more about Ojon oil from the people who knew it best. Remarkably, they set out to find the Mosquito Indian tribe, not really knowing where to look. After a five-hour flight on a run-down plane, they landed on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. They hiked for two hours before finding someone who could guide them further.

They happened upon members of MOPAWI, a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping the Indians of the Mosquitia. Now with more specific directions, Denis and his crew embarked on a long boat ride into the rainforest. When asked, Denis still recalls the experience with awe: “The boat ride was incredible—something out of National Geographic or an movie. The Indian tribes lived just as they had for centuries. The land was so pure and unspoiled.” As the boat began to slow, Denis knew they had arrived at the Mosquitia: “They all had remarkably healthy, shiny hair… and no one was wearing a hat!” Other tribes they had encountered along the way wore hats to protect themselves from the blazing sun. The beauty of the story is that the Mosquito Indians are referred to in their native language as Tawira, which naturally translates to “the people of beautiful hair.”

Denis learned that the Tawira wear Ojon in their hair all day long and use it as a body moisturizer from the day they are born. The Tawira were proud to share all they knew about this rare natural treasure. They demonstrated each step in the tedious process of harvesting the nuts and extracting the oil, which is all done by hand.

Skinny Jeans For Real

OMG these jeans are to die for. They make you skinny!

  • made from classic denim with a high nylon-elastane content for a ‘beefy’ strength to hold you in.  with ‘memory’ the jeans never stretch out, bag out, lose their shape or ‘grow’ by the end of the day
  • the thighs are very ’scooped’ out which drastically separates and slims them, pushing the butt out to create a shapely silhouette
  • the inseams are drawn forward on the leg making it appear that there is less ‘real estate’ on the front of the leg–a slimming illusion
  • the non-stretch cotton pocketing is sewn through from side-seam to side-seam so it acts as a restraint holding the entire stomach area in
  • the fading and shading pattern on the jeans creates an optical illusion front and back which slims the leg
  • the size, shape and placement of the pockets function solely to make the butt appear smaller and shapelier–no ’stuff’ on the pockets
  • medium -rise (7 1/4 - 8 1/2 rise depending on size) with contoured stretch waistband
  • 35″ length

Get these from Ultimo and use coupon code GC15 to get 15% off. Ultimo also sells Manolos, Spanks and Jason Wu!ult00014.jpg