Half awake by Erin Tyner

I recently saw these pieces by photographer Erin Tyner and was so struck by them.  They have a surreal and slightly ominous feeling. Each scene could be a still from a suspense movie.  I love how she plays with mood and proportion.

Erin describes the series this way "In my Half Awake series I construct scenes by combining household items, natural objects, and train figures under one inch in height. By pairing figures and context I create characters that are engaged with an unfolding narrative."

Prints start at $25.
Shop here. Website here. Blog here.

All images courtesy of Erin Tyner

Jao Body Products - Giveaway and Review

One of the things I was really excited about when starting this blog, was being able to spotlight interesting companies who were really doing something innovative with their products.  Jao Limited is one of those companies. 

Jao Limited is a family company run by Gale and her father David Mayron (a former pharmaceutical chemist),  from a small town right outside of Philadelphia.  They  make eco-friendly, multi-use body products that are loaded with botanicals and have no dyes, petroleum or artificial fragrances.  They also make, and I am really not kidding, the best hand sanitizer I have ever used, Jao Hand Refresher.  But, to just talk about the Hand Refresher, would be doing the company a great disservice, because the other products in their line are all really worth checking out.
  
The folks over at Jao were nice enough to send me a selection of products to review and, even better, to give away to one of my lucky readers (details at the bottom of the review).

One product I tried was the Goe Oil, which is a combination of 28 plant, fruit and flower oils and butters.  My skin loved this product, which is lightweight but incredibly moisturizing at the same time. I used it for a few days and my skin never felt greasy or weighted down, just baby soft and it smelled great.  Since it is Unisex, I had my husband try it too, and his "it didn't make me want to wash my hands", is actually a ringing endorsement, considering skin lotions skev him out.  And his rough knuckles are noticeably softer.  This one is a keeper.

 

LipJao has SPF 15, Lysine, Calendula, Chamomile Oil extracts and 34% Shea Butter.  I am not sure which of those ingredients gave me such soft lips, but I am loving all of them.

Time for my favorite product I was given to review - the Jao Hand Refresher. 

  I am a mom with a 3-year old and I work in a large office.  I am basically living in a 24-hour germ farm, so I use a lot of hand sanitizers.  I have tried the range from expensive to dollar store, and I can honestly say the Hand Refresher is like nothing I had used before.  Apparently, this is not a secret, some of my favorite magazines like Allure, Elle, Philadelphia, Marie Claire and Travel & Leisure rave about it and for good reason.  The Refresher contains 65% ethyl alcohol and antiseptic essential oils like Lavender, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus.  It is the only sanitizer that I have ever used that didn't instantly dry out my hands but left them soft and moisturized.  It is like gem-killing aromatherapy.

But you don't have to take my word for it - you can enter to win a Daily Travel Pak ($30) includes:
- 1oz jar of Jao Serious Moisture™
- 2oz bottle of Jao Hand Refresher™
- LipJao™ lip balm

Here is how can you enter:

1) Head on over to Jao's website and browse their selection of great products.  Then come back here and leave me a comment about why you would like to win.

You can get an extra entry each for (leave me a comment and let me know as well) :

1) "Liking" us on Facebook
2) Blogging about or sharing this entry

The Winner will be picked at random and announced Monday, April 11th.

Good luck!

All images courtesy of Jao Limited.

* A note about reviews on Lulu. I am a strong believer in editorial integrity.  Any reviews, positive or negative, are my own opinion and are not influenced by any company or organization.  Basically, if I say I like it - I really did.

Forsythia and Blue Skies - 15 products to Welcome Spring.

Last week we had a day that was glorious.  Mid 70's, blue sky and the trees were just beginning to bud. Today is snowed.   But it is okay, nothing can stop Spring from coming.  Today I am dreaming of Forsythia and Blue Skies.

From the top, left to right: Show me Sunshine at Ruche $56.99, Champagne necklace by Metalicious $46, The Lotus Blossom Collection Plates (4) by Aedriel $29, Blue Vase by Kim Westad $72, Our Little Friends (bird) print by Inaluxe $33, Letterpress Coasters by 12fifteen $9, Darling Blue Apatite 14K Gold Necklace by Rubinia Jewelry $56, Cuckcoo Clock by Decoylab $34, Astor Green Clutch by Emma Gordon around $90, Follow me through the Meadow dress at Ruche $37.99, Happy Moment print by Shira Sela $20, Spot bowl by Amy Adams $34, Kensie Earrings by Taylor Kenney Jewelry $92, Tea and Toast Butter Dish by Anthropolgie $12, Indigo by Clarks at Piperlime $100

All images courtesy of their respective owners

Blog awards, thank you's, and my must have beauty product.

I love hearing from readers - comments, questions - they make my day.   I received an email from a reader this week, Lynnie D, who asked me if I could only carry one beauty product with me at all time, what would it be?

I didn't even have to think about it  - I love this product that much.   I carry Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Pocket Pal with me everywhere.   I am on my fourth one (actually fifth, but I don't count that one since the Air France bag inspector stole it on my honeymoon, Merci lady).

Benetint Pocket Pal - $20

I am pretty sure you have heard of Benetint, it has been a favorite of Beauty Mags for years now. But if not, here is the skinny.

Benetint is a lip/cheek tint.  It starts out light, but you can control the amount of color you want with application.  It gives your lips this flushed, I just made out with my lover, look and it stays around for a long time.  It works great on every skin tone and is super versitile, working as both a lip and cheek tint. Because it is a stain, I found a bottle tends to last me longer then a normal lipstick.  If you don't need the gloss, they also sell just the tint.

I was also so thrilled to see that Lulu was given two blog awards this week!

 Paige over at the Final Clothes-Out, have very kindly given Lulu a Versatile Blogger award. How nice is that?  She has a great blog and I highly recommend you check it out.  The girl has great taste.

I also found out that Cait from Book Geekery (if you are a book lover, you will dig her blog. She has some really cute things) gave Lulu a Stylish Blogger award.   

A very big thank you for both of these!

The rules of both of these say that I have to tell you 7 random facts about myself.  I feel like people come to Lulu for great products and not me, really - but I am game if you are.

1.  I own too many books.  No really, I do.  I read about 3 books a week.
2.  I am crazy for vintage, art deco and found photography.
3.  I lived in a "haunted" apartment for three years.
4.  I really, really want to take an extended road trip this summer.
5.  I love to cook, but I won't cut raw chicken.
6. I love to sing loudly and offkey in the car while driving.
7. I like to go night swimming in the ocean.

I am also supposed to call out some blogs I love.  I am actually working on Lulu's blogroll (since I have SO many I love) and that way, they are up all the time and not just in this entry.

Thanks again, Lynne, Paige and Cait.  You guys made my week!

CB I Hate Perfume - Oh the irony.

One of the great things about this blog, is that in doing the research for it, I sometimes stumble across something that might have made a splash in the blogosphere a while ago, but is a new, exciting find for me. 

This weekend, that find was CB I Hate Perfume, the brainchild of scent genius Christopher Brosius.

Brosius founded Demeter  (the company famous for developing scents like Laundromat,  Dirt and Gin and Tonic) and left the company in 2004.  He went on to launch CB I Hate Perfume, and in his words "returned to my original love of making actual PERFUME – those that tell stories and capture exact experiences"

Perfumes like;  Burning leaves (the smell of burning maple leaves), Gathering Apples (Thousands of Ripe Red Mackintosh Apples and a bit of old weathered wood from the bushel baskets) , To See a flower (Delicate spring flowers (hyacinth, daffodils, jonquils & crocuses), green shoots, wet dirt & a bit of moss) and Memory of Kindess (The shining green scent of tomato vines growing in the fresh earth of a country garden).

Brosius also has an extensive line of single note accords (a single scent that captures a very specific smell)  available, like  Bluebell, French Bread, Kir Royale, Soaked Earth and Wet Stone..

CB I Hate Perfume has a scent gallery in Brooklyn, where you can go and experience the scents for yourself. The word on the street is to allow yourself some time, this is not an experience to be rushed.

One thing that made me extremely happy, is a lot of the scents are offered in 2ML travel sizes, which means you can start sampling scents at the extremely affordable starting price of $12.  I think I am going to try Beautiful Launderette, or wait... Lavender Tea...or A Room with a View... I am in trouble.

All images courtesy of CB I Hate Perfume

Etsy Friday Five - 3/18

Friday again, and that means it is time for my favorite post of the week - the Etsy Friday Five.  I have so much fun finding these items and new artists to feature.  And, I am really excited for the Sugarloaf Arts Festival this weekend in Philadelphia.  Over 250 artists are featured, hopefully I will be bringing back some great new finds for you all.

SisterBatik have been featured all over Etsy lately, and for good reason. Their vividly colored pillow covers, made from Dutch wax print batik cotton, are utterly stunning. They will instantly transform any drab couch into a conversation piece. I know we will be seeing great things to come from their talented UK duo.

Deluxe Persian Floral Throw Pillow Cover (20*20) by SisterBatik - $45



If you have scrolled through the blog a bit, you will see that I have a real yen for soft, ethereal photography. Photographer Sara Duckett’s etsy store has such an amazing array of just lovely images. That really is the perfect word to describe her photographs, lovely. Her store also carries postcards and some jewelry featuring her images.

Blue Jars by Warmwhispers (5*7) - $16.00

I want to hit to road so badly, I can taste it. I want a long road trip, a beat up car and 50 loose cassette tapes rattling around on the floor. I want to visit 700 person towns, dive bars and quiet countryside. I want to find a road and drive it to end. But since I have a 9-5 job, a family and mortgage, I will settle for this great Jack Kerouac inspired print from maechevrette.

The Road  (19*13) by Mae Chevrett - $39.00

I love letterpress, love it.  I keep buying beautiful letter press cards and postcards to send to friends, and end up keeping them and just sending emails instead.  Totally wrong, I know – but it is so hard to give such pretty things up.  This time, I found letterpress that I don’t have to feel bad about keeping –these sweet "Things that are Round" coasters from 1canoe2.  I have been fans of their store ever since I saw them on Decor8 awhile ago, and for good reason.  I dare you to go to their store and not find 10 things you want to buy

.

"Things that are round" coasters (set of 9 & bag) by 1canoe2 - $15

Like most of the world right now, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan.  If you want to help in the relief efforts, you can donate directly to organizations like the Red Cross or Save the Children.  Hundreds of Etsy sellers are offering to donate either full or part of the purchase price of their items to Japan relief organizations.  Please take some time to search today and give a little bit of much needed support.



Japan Disaster Relief Bracelet (100% of proceeds donated) by Topnotch - $5



Stick it good - Wall decals you will actually want on your walls

I always liked the idea of big graphic wall decals and had played with the idea of using them in my house, but as it ended up , the only ones we ever bought were Winnie the Pooh for my daughter’s nursery. Not exactly cutting edge design. When I saw that my local dollar store was starting to carry “Hip” wall decals, I figured that trend was pretty much over.

I was so wrong. Companies like Blik, Walltat, and Fathead have broken away from the Parisian skyline, flowers down the wall style of decal (although there is still a nice selection of those types if you are interested) and are working with established and up-and-coming artists to create wall art that is fresh, innovative and not at all cookie cutter.

Hand Signs by upperplayground for Blik - $55

Ascend by Craww for Blik - $70




Snow White by Liu Ye for Fathead - $24.99

 



Son istmeno by Upperplayground for Blik - $48



Breathe by Sarah Joncas for Blik - $75

Fruity Friends by Corky Mansfield for Scribbles - $75

Miss Dorothy Bust by Laure Delcort for Walltats - $49

Airstream by 3rdAveShore - $85



Spacetime by Poketo - $48

All images are courtesy of their respective owners



Chic Storage with the Macbeth Collection

   It is spring cleaning time over at my house. Every year at this time, I get the urge to nest and reorganize my stuff, and I have so much stuff. Jewelry,books,shoes, body lotions, photography, gardening supplies… the list goes on and I live in a very small house with a husband and a 3-year old. Needless to say, organization is key here. Too often, I feel overwhelmed and just go to Lowes, buy a bunch of clear plastic containers and throw everything into the attic.

 Not this year. This year, I am ditching the plastic bins and am going with something with a lot more style.



 I found the Macbeth Collection a few years ago while working at the magazine. We used some of their buckets for a Summer picnic photo shoot and ever since, I have lusted after them. Macbeth has buckets, bins, boxes, tubs…and with over 200 patterns to pick from, there is something for every decor and every organizational project.

Also, if you sign up for their VIP email newsletter – you can receive a coupon for $25 off a $100 purchase.

All images courtesy of The Macbeth Collection

Etsy Friday Five - 3/11

Today is a big day over here at Lulu.  One of my best friends is getting married today and considering I have known the fellow since he was in diapers, I am beyond elated! Congrats, Jason!

Enough gushing - on to today's Etsy Friday Five.

Lulu hasn't really covered many things for kids so far.  There are a few reasons for that, but the main one is that I have zero impulse control when it comes to buying adorable things for my kiddo.  If I wrote about kid's stuff frequently, I would be living under a bridge within a year. 

However, I happened to meet the next two artists last weekend at the Germantown Friends School craft fair, and since they are a) extremely talented women with great product and b) local (Lulu is based out of Philadelphia) - I had to cover them.

The first artist that I saw at the Germantown Crafts show was Jahje from Baby Jives.  Jahje makes the most beautiful nature-inspired fabric mobiles.  They are airy and whimsical and would be the perfect finishing touch to any nursery or kid's room.  I especially love the butterfly one below.  She takes custom orders too, if you are looking for a particular theme or color scheme.  And a big congrats to Jahje, my Feb issue of Bust magazine arrived yesterday and she is featured!

Butterfly ballet - handmade fabric mobile by Babyjives - $94

The other Etsian (is that really a word?) was Julia from EIEIO.  She has a great line of little girl clothing that is fun and functional.  Her designs are excellently crafted and her fabric choices are uber playful.  What I loved about her roundabout dresses, is they are they are reversible!  I saw some great items at the show and I think it must have been a good show for her, because her Etsy store is a bit light right now.  I would bookmark it for sure and check back for her adorable line of Twirly skirts, which are a great spring staple. You will be glad you did.

Modern Home Reversible Roundabout by EIEIO - $35

I am a scent junkie.  I am always excited to find new scents and the ones over at Forstrangewomen sound intriguing, complex blends with notes like Violet, Blood Orange, Vanilla Bourbon, Honeysuckle and Jasmine.  I know a  lot of people are hesitant to buy scent online because they don't want to invest a ton of money on something they haven't smelled yet.  Jill thought of that and is offering sample vials of her most popular scents (Cleopatra, Jaded, Sweet Androgyny, Astral Projection, Moss and Ivy, Vision Quest, Winter Kitty, and Decadence & Debauchery) in this trial kit, along with a natural fixative balm to extend the life of your scent.

Deluxe Mini Perfume sampler by Forstrangewomen - $30

The girlie gardener in me squealed when I saw these totally sweet Cherry Blossom hair pins over at Woodland Belle.  Mai's  store has so many great items (her succulent rings are so clever) but it is the hair twigs that I just adore.  They are the perfect way to introduce just a tiny bit of spring to any outfit. 

Cherry Blossom Tiny Twig Hair Pins by WoodlandBelle - $29.50

This trio of girls by Theaterclouds had me staring at my computer for more than a few minutes. The use of light, depth and reflection create such a layered mysterious piece. All of Elly's works are like that - tiny complex worlds unto themselves. I am warning you, if you click over to her store, do it when you have some time to spend. Her pieces will draw you in and you won't be able to click away.

 Tranquil Morning (11*14) by Theaterclouds - $33

All images are courtesy of their respective owners

She blinded me with Science (and her 7 great necklaces)

 Monday (3/14) is National Pi day. While that might not be mean much to the majority of us, it is a big day to my statistician and scientist friends (Hi Ladies!). Mainly, they ditch work early, drop the lab coats, hit the bar and consume copious amounts of Apple Pi shots.

This year, they can drop some extra stylish science wearing one of these funky necklaces.

Algal Bloom pendant in 24K Gold Plate by Nervous System - $50

Erlenmeyer Flask Love Fine Silver by NB Design - $50





Capsaicin Molecule Necklace by Made with Molecules - $90

Nerd Necklace at Morphologica Design - $29.50

Neuron Necklace at Uncommon Goods - $65



Periodic Table of Elements Necklace in Sterling Silver by Nikha Jewelry - $54



Pi Stamped Sterling Silver Pendant by Nicholas and Felice - $12

All images courtesy of their respective oweners