Pain retrouve!

Just a quick post to show you the "pain perdu" or french toast that I made this weekend.
My sister in law mentioned this last weekend and it's been on my mind since then... I had not had "pain perdu" for 5-6 years at least. I made some homemade whipped cream and added some berries to reduce the gilt factor LOL! It was delish and will definitely be a new favorite in our kitchen.

Comfort Zone

Hey everyone,
Sorry I have been MIA on my blog. Things have been hectic at work but I promise to check in more often. It's been so crazy that I also neglected my looks. Hard to believe huh? Well, it's the sad truth. I have so much to do that I feel tired all the time and do not have time to put outfits together. So tired that I now go for a comfortable look before a hot and sexy look. I am a sucker for the pencil skirt + tailored skirt + sky high hot heels for work but I found myself reaching more and more for comfortable flats.
I realize that you can still look cute and not frumpy with flats but it is hard to find hot flats. What are your favorites? Here are some of my recent buys....
Love,
C.

Trend Alert: Cargo Pants

I love feminine and flirty looks but I have to admit that I love a sexy militarian look and a gal.
This new trend caught my attention because I've been a big fan of cargo pants since my teen years. I remember my mom expressing how much she hates them! She always said that it was not a proper way to dress for a lady. Oh well...They are so comfortable- and- on the right person, they look absolutely fabulous.
The trend this year is for skinny cargo pants. If you are looking for a basic and flattering pair, Mango has some nice ones. Unfortunately, I do not see them on their website so try the stores.
My favorite pair --> the Jbrand Houlihan cargo pants - Here they are worn by Rihanna. Doesn't she look cute in them? Also on Hilary Duff....

Smooth like Buttaaah!!!

My mom was recently in Togo (West Africa) for work and brought us back some Organic Shea Butter.
She insisted that I try it and it was the best stuff on earth!!! Hummmm....ok.....Mom...You are talking to the girl who tried everything on earth to get glowing skin.
I tried shea butter before but was never really wowed by the results I got applying it daily on my skin. Also, since I have super oily skin, I never dared applying it to my face!
Anyways, my mom was sitting on my bed, holding the glass jar of her precious butter and was going on and on about the benefits, the fabulousness of the stuff, blah blah blah. My aunt and I who were laying on the bed were pretending that we were listening. To be honest I was so tired that day that I did not pay much attention to her. Plus, how many times did I hear how fantastic shea butter is in my life? But I yet have to meet a have perfect skin. Since my mom was getting annoyed that my aunt and I did not pay attention to her, I took her precious jar and promised her that I would try it. She then left the room with my aunt and I had the best nap ever afterwards!!! lol
Two weeks later, back to the States, I bought a magazine while grocery shopping and read that the Fab Amber Rose uses shea butter every day and every night on her skin. Don't you love that girl? I mean she is so gorgeous and confident!! Plus her complexion is just to die for. As I was reading the article, I remembered about the precious jar of shea butter that my mom gave me. You can imagine the rest of the story.....
I now uses this stuff everyday all over my body and on my face and hair. So far so good. Very moisturizing. I love the texture and the feel of this shea butter. It is certainly the best I ever used. My mom said it is Organic so maybe that's why it feel so good? I yet have to see results but it looks like when used religiously for a few months, I "might" get some good results. Please god, just a little bit of glow and smoothness, that's all I am asking for! lol
If this works Mom, I will come and give you the biggest kisses and hugs you ever received.
Like they say, always listen to the wise advices of your mom!!
I love you maman cherie!!

Sssssssnake!

Hi Girls! I had to share this video with you. I was on the floor when I watched it! Salma Hayek looks so funny in it. I can totally relate though because I have the same phobia about snakes!!! I can safely say that they are the thing I fear the most (after God of course!!). I am so afraid of them that everytime I have a nightmare, there's gotta be a snake in it!!! Then, I wake up in the middle of the night sweating bullets, I scare and wake up my hubby as well. Poor thing, he gets afraid too because I scream so hard!! lol

Anyways, here it is, Salma Hayek is just like me, horrified and hysterical at the view of a snake!!!!

http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2010/06/extra_raw_salma_hayek_snake_scare.php

Purple Rain

Just a quick note to share with you my obsession of the moment!! Purple Nailpolishes?!?!?!? I don't get why I am so into this color right now, everything has to be purple! lol. It's also a bit strange to crave Fall/Winter shades in the summer but oh well...
Anyways, I thought I'd share with you three perfect shades of purple that I bought this summer....

1- Chanel Vendetta : Now ladies...this is just perfecto!! So pretty and chic. This is purple without being "up in your face purple" if you know what I am talking about! It has a hint of dark brown.



2- Nars Purple Rain: This is is a little more purple than the chanel vendetta with a bit f shimmer. This is another of my favorites. Still chic and a little gothy which adds some fun to it.







3- Dior Silver Purple : Another beautiful nail polish. Silver with just a little purple.... It looks great with an evening outfit!









Before I go, I want to share the outfit I wore last night for a casual dinner with my hubby on my birthday...I will share with you the awesome gift I got as soon as I receive it through the mail. He ordered something for me from my favorite jeweler in Morocco and I cannot wait to see it!!
Below, shorts were bought on ecrater.
Top is from Valentino: I love this top! Got it on major sale at Neiman Last Call (around $5o bux).
Watch is from Michael Kors.
Clutch and earrings are from Ebay.

Summer Fragrance

I have been MIA on my blog, being lazy and extremely busy, but I am back!!!
I am excited to start blogging again. Just came back from Senegal (second time this year! yay!!) and I had a great time. It is always so nice to spend time with my family and friends. I got to hang out with my girlfriends this time, more than I did during my last trip to Dakar in January. It was great to see my girls but also neat to reconnect with the Senegalese Fashion. The ladies in Dakar are always on top of their game, always extremely put together from head to toes despite the heat in Dakar and "No Khaliss" lol. It was so hot in May there, I was sweating bullets from morning to night all the time! With all the cute summer outfits, it is so important to have a light and fresh summer fragrance, specially when you sweat like I do (sorry this may sounds disgusting but don't we all sweat? lol).

Anyways, I after a long search at Nordstrom and Sephora, I purchased Chanel Eau Fraiche. It is a beautiful, light and citrusy fragrance. It was perfect in Dakar and I received so many compliments on it. If you are looking for a chic, light and fresh summer fragrance, this is it. It acted fine with the hot weather. It is a little pricey (approx. $100) but a little goes a long way....
Unfortunately, I forgot to pack it in my checked bags on my way back to the States. My aunt who works at the airport was helping me go through Security ( only in Africa right? lol) so I gave her the bottle. She
was so thrilled and I am glad she was there because I would have been so mad if the bottle ended up in the hands of the unpleasant airport security guy who was going through my stuff....

Back to the States, I found a mad hot weather in Florida too! I was desperately in need of a new fragrance. This time, I purchased Hanae Mori Eau de toilette at Nordstrom. I just love it. This is sweet, girly, sophisticated and I feel like it will be my staple for a long time.
It has a little hint of vanilla which I like.




I also liked all the Marc Jacobs Eau de Toilette Splash. My favorites are the Cucumber, Pomegranate, Fig, Apple and Biscotti.

New stuff from Thiane Diagne...

Hi guys!! Sorry I have been M.I.A....I've been so busy it's not even funny anymore. My parents were visiting, then my brother, my cousin and her daughter, plus work has been crazy too.....
Anyways, just checking in quickly to share a video from Thiane Diagne with you. She is one of my favorite senegalese designers. Love love love her stuff!!!
Please see link below. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

p.s. I just called her today to order a dress for a wedding in October. I will post pics as soon as I get it. I promise!
***Hugs & Kisses***

http://www.orange-info.sn/thematique/videonew/page_n-1.php?id=217&sec_id=218

Just because I love them!

Work is killing me right now! I have so many projects due it's so overwhelming! I get really stressed out and the result is not pretty because I always eat like a cow. Bad.... bad I know but I cannot help it!! Un gateau par ci, des biscuits par la, un carre de chocolat par ci, et 20 carres de chocolat par la....lol. I need to find a way to control this because guess where all this junk is going? In my tights and stomach! The result is a huge muffin top plus, the super cute True Religion jeans look like they are about to explode!! In times like this, clothes are the last think I want to talk about! But since I am fashion nut, I will still stick to my domain and talk about accessories. Tomorrow my sister will call me and say for the 100000 time: "cocotte, how about discussing Juan Cole latest book, or Bill Moyers' journal on your blog" Sorry - no can't do sis-cherie. I am shallow and will discuss bangles today!!!

Alright- this is one accessory I cannot live without specially in Spring and Summer. I love jewelry, I love when they sparkle and make some noise! Yes! I think the clic-clics of bangles are so feminine ans somehow sexy. Of course, I think they are totally inappopriate and totally annoying in a middle of a business meeting, or when it's so quiet and all you can hear is the clic-clacs of your bangles. But when you wanna put together a cute summer outfit, they are definitely a must. I like to pair them with linen pants, a simple tee and jeweled sandals.

Here are a few picks. The best place to find cute ones is Ebay. Just search for "bangles" and you will be able to pick from lots of different styles.

Skincare Favorites (Volume 1) !!!!!!

This is a tricky subject for me because I have been looking for beautiful skin all my life!! lol
I did try many things but now that I am approaching the big 30 (yesss!!!), I came to the conclusion that less is more. I know...I know....they all say that, but it is sooo true! You do not need expensive products and a million steps routine to have decent skin.
Treat your skin carefully, with love, and it will thank you later.
Don't get me wrong, I still have not found the perfect routine for my skin but the products I am about to list never did me wrong. In fact, they always came to my rescue!

This week, Let's start with Bodycare: (I will do face and hair next week)

1- Bodywash: I have two favorites. I use gel in the morning and soap at night.
For the gel, now this one will make you laugh, but it is so gentle and effective on my skin. I also us it as a face cleanser. It is the Johnson & Johnson Baby - Head to Toes Baby Wash.
At night I use Dove Unscented Soap for Sensitive Skin.
I have very sensitive and dry skin and these two products and gentle and non-drying.

2 - Body Moisturizers: Here again, I have three favorites. One heavy duty, for colder months and two lighter ones for warmer months. Both are extremely moisturizing (which I need) and make you skin so soft that you will always want touch it. Trust me!!
For colder months, there is nothing more effective than shea butter. The one that I buy is pure and organic. It smells good too, with Mango and Papaya. I love it!
Here is where I buy it from: http://store.africansheabuttercompany.com/sheabutterjars.html
The mango papaya and the Coconut Pineapple are my favorites.

For warmer months, I use the body shop body butters. Now- this moisturizer is an old time favorite in my whole family. My mom, sister, aunts and cousins all use it and love it!! It is one of the best body moisturizers out there! A little pricey but a little goes a long way, and it is all worth it! My favorite from the line is the Japanese cherry blossom and the Coconut Body Butter.

The other moisturizer that I love (but it's harder to find it in the US) is Klorane Bebe. Yes another baby product...But they are so gentle and feel so nice on the skin. I used this since I was a little kid, through my teenage years, and still now....that I am an adult. I figured that since I always go back to it, it must be working! Right? Anyways, Klorane Bebe Moisturizer is great in the summer, when you don't really feel like moisturizing but you know you need something.




3- Body Scrub: This is an easy one since I find it right in my kitchen!! Now ladies, this will change your skin for realz!! It will make your skin soft like butta and glowy! It's no joke!
All I do, is mix olive oil and brown sugar together. Massage it onto the skin before I shower (for at least 5 minutes). It will take off all the dead cells and will make your skin soft like a baby's butt! The olive oil has vitamin E in it, which is a great antioxidant. Just a warning though: this can be very messy but the result is fantastic.
If you want to buy a product from the store, my favorite is a Body Scrub from Fresh. It is expensive, but very effective and a "skin transforming product"!!! I love it and wish I could afford to use it all the time. It is called Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish.



A little extra: We all know that diet and exercise are the basis of good skincare. Make sure you eat plenty of veggies and fruits, lean meats and whole grains, drink lots of water to achieve a beautiful and glowing skin. Also, make sure you drink green tea which has lots of antioxidants.

Now ladies, your turn to share your favorites! Hope you enjoy this post!

Wednesday Outfit!!!

I have an important meeting tomorrow morning and do not want to wear a suit!
Here is a simple outfit that I pulled out of my closet. I added leopard pumps to spice it up a bit ;-)
My husband hates these shoes by the way - but I think they are fun, no?
Anyways, here it is: comments are welcome!

Top 5 Spring 2009 looks!!!

My favorite fashion season is Fall, but I also love Spring for its colors.
This spring, bright candy colors are big! So get ready to be as delicious as you can be!
My friend Anta asked me to do a post about my favorite spring looks. Here it goes...

1- Menswear: Specially a nice pantsuit. I would pick a nice pastel color, a soft beige or a white suit to offset the manly look. My favorite ensemble is from BCBG. See below:


2- A colorful dress: Nothing makes a woman feel more sexy than a fitted and comfortable dress. If it is too tight or too revealing, you will most likely be uncomfortable and show less confidence which is the key to being sexy.


3- Boyfriend Jeans: Now this is also one of my favorite spring looks. I have always worn ripped jeans. I love to pair them with a simple and fitted tee, gold bangles and earrings to make the outfit a little more girly. My favorite pair of destroyed jeans is suprisingly from Abercrombie.
This season, jeans are ripped and look like you borrowed them from your boyfriend.
Here are more to choose from if you don't want to spend too much money:


4- Sandals: Either high heels or flats, sandals are strappy, fringy and "gladiatory".
Here are my favorites:





5 - Bold Jewelry: Add some fun and colors to your outfit with bright turquoise and sassy pinks.
I am a big fan of huge necklaces.
Here are some of my favorite jewelry pieces: