Patyka’s beauty gurus search the world for rare botanical extracts to create near-perfect products for the face and body. But it’s the organic parfums we’re loving this minute. The glass bottles look decadent when lined up on your bathroom windowsill. Collecting each vibrant color is key: when the sun shines through, they illuminate like stained glass. Among the savory scents? Lime and lavender, vanilla absolute and bergamot, cedar and pine, geranium and ylang, honey and rose, vetyver and sandalwood.

Technorati Tags: beauty, Charles & Marie, cosmetics, Marie’s closet, parfums

You know that we have a knack for all things fine and precious. But right now, after seeing what has happened in Java, we need to take a break from consumerism and shopping therapy for a moment and think about how we can help. We like smaller organizations vs the big slow corporations because they tend to be much more effective. Our favorite one is Fortunate Blessings - they have most recently been included in American Express’ list of preferred charitable groups - and they are putting together a trauma team as we speak and if you feel that they are the right group, you can donate whatever you think is appropriate via PayPal right here. Just enter their email address: java at fortunateblessings dot org.

Thank you!

Much like your high school yearbook, music has a way of conjuring up life’s milestones. That first dance. That first kiss. Whatever the occasion, we’ve found a purse to conjure up the memory. These strike a harmonious fusion of funk and fashion. The muse? Music’s greatest headliners—or any other artist you dig. Carry A Tune Purses of Livermore are made out of original album jackets (usually the cover) of your favorite records. They make a fun, playful gift for your most sentimental friends.

Technorati Tags: accessories, bags, Charles & Marie, Marie’s closet, Tragically Hip

We all know that wearing protective armor (a.k.a. SPF) is anti-aging commandment numero uno. The fact that some of us still neglect to take preventative measures begs a question as burning as the sun itself: why? Spots. Wrinkles. Alligator skin. Ick. Comfort Zone’s Action Sublime Cream SPF 12 offers the ultimate in daily protection. It’s rare when we find a sunblock that offers a luxurious fragrance to boot. Suffice it to say, the pretty packaging and refreshing scent deserve a prime spot on your bathroom counter. That ought to remind you to apply it daily!

Technorati Tags: beauty, Charles & Marie, Marie’s closet, Spa, wellness

Like most “haute as heck” trends, Custo’s Barcelona-bred clothing has been featured on Friends and Sex in the City. Make no mistake, the flashy, funky designs defy minimalist fashion. A bit of background: in the early Eighties the brothers Custodio Dalmau set up their first fashion business. They unveiled their first clothing collection in 1997 at New York’s fabulous fashion week. The rest, as they say, is history. We love the bold graphics, vibrant colors and flattering fits of this daring designer duo.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, fashion, jeans, Marie’s closet, Tragically Hip

Rookie or not, flirting is a sport which requires the appropriate gear. Periodic updates to your look are sure to increase your score. Suffice it to say, if you really, really want to up your batting average, check out Bad Gal Lash, the lushest mascara on the makeup scene. Arianne Damboise, Benefit’s own Arch Empress of Brows, introduced us to these magic wands at a local Brow Bar. They come with a big, bad brush that coats your lashes with a rich, black formula (think false eyelashes sans the glue). We squealed “Oui! Oui! Oui! Oui!” all the way home and couldn’t take our eyes off the sexy view in our car mirrors. Our new doe eyes made us felt like Bambi, but be sure to avoid such tear-jerking cartoons as the formula isn’t waterproof.

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Colleen Quen, creator of the supremely chic Sake-tini dress, has a cult following of admirers who appreciate old-world couture with a modern twist. Her creations are made from fantastical dreams that take form from nature, art and architecture. Think uniquely divine: full skirts in creamy chiffon and bias-cut sheaths in flawless silk. With skill and precision she expertly calculates a “body print” for each client to ensure perfection in each piece.

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In the SF East Bay, handbag designer Janine Marie is a veritable Wizard of (Ooohs and) Ahhs. Her belted bags are as popular as they are versatile and made of sueded microfiber or ribbed canvas. The interior cell phone pocket and magnetic snap closures allow you to pick up your incoming calls before your Wizard of Oz ringtone reaches the annoying chorus. Bravo!

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Kathryn and Lindy Jones are the identical twin designers behind Palmer Jones, a fashion line born out of desires and dreams. The pieces themselves are utterly dreamlike and combine the girls’ creativity and technical expertise. With European flair and an appreciation for the past, they add a potent shot of confidence to American sportswear.

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No matter how hard we try, we never seem to eat enough fruit. Despite it all, we feel unusually nourished when we coat our cotton balls with this rhubarb-colored potion from Kiehl’s. It’s formulated with free-floating strawberries and bayberries (they’re settled at the bottom) and natural astringents. True to the company’s apothecary tradition, the berries are placed in the bottles by hand. The cool, refreshing blend of botanical extracts and fruits tones and cleanses the skin, leaving it soft, supple and unusually invigorated.

Technorati Tags: beauty, Charles & Marie, Marie’s closet, wellness