Win this on Today’s Couture! A beautiful 22k Gold Vermeil necklace by Zavida Jewelry! Valued at $110.00! Subscribe here if you don’t already and be added to the Couture in the City readers pool of picks.

Couture in the City and Zavida Gemstones is proud to announce our exclusive giveaway on Today’s Couture! Today we are featuring a review of this exceptional and exotic jewelry line from around the world! This beautiful line of jewelry is a personal favorite of mine. And you can’t go wrong with a jewelry line whose artists are diverse from the most exotic parts of the world. From India, Africa, Asia, Central America and South America. The Zavida line specializes in bringing unique and beautiful jewelry from around the world - with a touch of the exotic. Most of their jewelry line is made of sterling silver, gold and exceptionally high quality gemstones.

Editor’s choice - These exceptionally beautiful 22k gold vermeil and blue topaz with aquamarine are an elegant dangle earring to wear out to dinner.

Angelique - Editor’s choice - “I love these earrings! Blue topaz is one of my favorite stones. On a fashion sense, I would recommend wearing these earrings with hair in a nice sleek ponytail. I wore them to a birthday party last weekend and I received so many complements on how adorable they looked! These make a great gift item too!”

Senior Writer’s choice - gold vermeil and filigree earrings. With circular filigree designed with charm dangles, in a swirl post earring. These are great to wear anytime, anywhere!

Even though Zavida creates exceptional jewelry, they also have a keen hand in philanthropy. Their mission - to help struggling artisans half -way around the world. Zavida Gemstones makes a point in offering socially-conscious handmade semi-precious gemstone jewelry.

So far Zavida has granted $23,000 to support the indigenous silversmiths of India who create some of Zavida’s jewelry offerings. The funds come as part of Zavida’s progressive business model that gives back 25% of its profits to struggling regions where its worldly jewelry and gemstones originate, plus private donations. Now that’s giving back! In addition to giving back 25% of their profits, Zavida purchases directly from the silversmiths. Helping to further the silversmiths’ financial gain. Zavida then sells the silversmiths’ pieces as part of the many jewelry options offered on its retail website.

But now Couture in the City and Zavida are giving back too! And be one of the lucky readers to win our exceptional gift item. Enter today, and if you already subscribe to Couture in the City, you are automatically added into the pool of picks. This fantastic giveaway will run until September 12th! So be sure to check in back then too. When we will be giving away another beautiful jewelry item from Zavida! So good luck to you all my fashionistas!

Source: Zavida Gemstones

Popularity: 4% [?]

Yes it is our end of summer giveaway! And thanks to Sephora we have an amazing line of really cool products that you can win! Now these are some of my summer favorites, and they feel great on the skin, as well as smell great too! And one lucky Couture in the City reader will win the whole set! So here is what’s up for grabs.

Win this! SuperStars - Super Shield Skin Saver SPF 30 - Valued at $10.00

This is the perfect way to save face for shade worshippers everywhere. This groundbreaking formulation is fantastic for face and body and for all skin types. It’s ultra-light, oil-free, and absorbs quickly, leaving pores clog-free and your skin with the most advanced UVA/UVB protection available. Not to mention, it contains skin-strengthening collagen, antioxidant vitamin complex A, C, and E, and soothing anti-aging botanicals to keep you gorgeous - no matter the weather.

To use: Apply liberally to face and body one hour before sun exposure. Re-apply every two hours to ensure maximum protection - more frequently when swimming or sweating.

Did we like it? Absolutely! Don’t think because summer is nearing it’s end that you don’t need an SPF skin protector. Because you do. Sun rays can still affect sensitive skin, even on cloudy days.

Angelique - The Editor’s Pick- Win the Sephora Peach Blossom Body Butter - Valued at $16.00!

What it is: A rich, lightly scented cream for the entire body.

What it is formulated to do: This thick, luxurious moisturizer rejuvenates skin with natural shea butter and beeswax, which softens skin and prevents against moisture loss.

What did we like about it the most? The smell is absolutely fabulous! And smells decadently like a beautiful peach orchard in the summer. Very dreamy.

Jacqueline - Senior Writer’s Pick - Sephora Peach Blossom body scrub - valued at $16.00!

What it is: A lightly scented body exfoliator.

What it is formulated to do: Using small Jojoba beads, this gentle yet effective scrub stimulates the skin while polishing away dry, dead cells. Macadamia Seed oil softens and hydrates the newly revealed skin.

Did we like it? I loved it! It is one of my favorite summer picks from Sephora. Again the scent is really amazing and fills the whole shower with an exotic and peachy aroma. I found this to be very therapeutic for the soul. And a sure winner. Five stars for me.

So if you wish to win this wonderful set of goodies from Sephora, then enter here. Now if you already subscribe to Couture in the City, you are automatically put into the pool of picks. The giveaway will run until September 9th. So good luck to you all my beautynistas!

Source: Sephora

Popularity: 4% [?]

Ok my beauty divas! Here is your chance to become the next Breakthrough In Beauty star! Ok, so you’ve had that really good idea in the back of your head about creating that next cosmetic brand. Or that all natural anti-aging skincare line. Maybe you have even gone as far to create that basement chemist lab! But here is your chance. To create something great! Because Breakthrough In Beauty is here to make that dream happen.

Beauty entrepreneurs can submit innovative beauty products and ideas for consideration to become the next $100 million beauty brand. (Wow!) All up and coming beauty visionaries can submit their products only until August 30, 2008 at www.BreakthroughinBeauty.com. Finalists will be announced in late September and will participate in a two-day “Breakthrough in Beauty” event for a final round of competition to determine the winner of this year’s search!

Only the Best will compete for this incredible offer - be in the spotlight - and become the next beauty product Star!

“Breakthrough in Beauty™ represents a new, more personal era in beauty retailing,” explained Marina Randolph, Founder of Breakthrough in Beauty. “By continually searching for and accepting only the very best in undiscovered concepts, incubating them and providing them with growth opportunities and guidance, we enable innovators to thrive. Their products become irreplaceable – and more importantly, accessible – in women’s lives.”

2007 Breakthrough in Beauty™ winner: Timeless Secret®

Now is the time to live your dream. If you’re anything like me -aka - a product hound! And you have that fantastic idea, create it, deliver it, and make it special. And you may just be the winner of this exclusive competition! Good Luck to you all my beauty-nistas!

Enter now at the Breakthrough In Beauty submissions!

Source: Breakthrough In Beauty

Popularity: 6% [?]

Treat your Dad with luxury this Father’s Day. We are proud to anounce Sothys of Paris skin care line, as one of the most luxurious gifts ever. Yes, Father’s love to be pampered too!

Even though you may not think it to be true, men actually have more sensitive skin problems than women do. The Sothys Homme System is specifically designed with the needs of male skin in mind. Routine care like shaving can wreck havoc on a man’s face. Sothys Homme is meant to be a skin care routine to help treat those problems. Almost every Sothys Homme product contains an amino – which is derived from the distillation of malt from Scottish Whiskey. This creates Phytomalt - a rich amino acid that is known for its soothing, and calming effects.

‘Sothys of Paris - Men’s skin care line’

We loved this product so much we gave a few of our gentleman friend’s here at Couture a skin care line to try. We sampled Sothys HOMME Exfoliating Scrub and Detoxifying Active Cleasner.

” Who need’s a spa when you have Sothys of Paris! After shaving I used the detoxifying active cleanser which was light and went on smooth. Afterwards I used the scrub, which had a great violet color, scent, and small micro beads. And it really left my skin smooth and soft! You can really tell the luxury in this product. From the packaging to the product itself. I loved it!”
Steven - Los Angeles, CA

And our editor, couldn’t rave more!

“I think Sothys of Paris is a wonderful product. It makes the perfect Father’s Day gift. I had my boyfriend try the product. And he really enjoyed the scent of the cleanser and the scrub. Both products left his skin very clean. And gave him a healthy glow. He loved the packaging! And is actually considering purchasing the scrub as a gift for his father. ”
Angelique - Editor of Couture in the City

Give your Pere (Father) something he can relax and look great with! Give him Sothys of Paris. And remember Father’s Day is on June 15th! Au Revoir!

Source: Sothys of Paris, KMR New York

Popularity: 7% [?]

Melange Apothecary - This chic boutique nestled in the hills of Sherman Oaks, Califorina. Has big boutique potential. Offering an array of decandent fragrances - the Melange fragrance bar boasts eighty fragrances and essential oils.

Melange ( in french) means to blend or mix. Which is exactly what this hip little boutique offers! From home candles, body washes, one of a kind fragrances, Melange Apothecary offers a place where customers can sit, relax, and try the Melange blends or create their own.

Melange Apothecary Boutique, nestled in the hills of Southern California

Thank you to Melange I had the pleasure of trying some these fab products. Now Melange has a very interesting product line called ‘Concrete Parfum’. What is Concrete parfum?

Concrete Parfum collection

Melange Concrete Parfum are small containers of fragrance in a solid form. They are prepared in small containers, using pure beeswax, jojoba oil and a wonderful fragrance. These small little fragrances go a long way, just add a little dab to wrists and neck line and you will have the apothecary experience. They are also very convienient to slip into your bag or are a great travel size. And at $10 per container, it is very affordable too.

Concrete Parfum Blending Kit

I tried, Miel (Honey). Cielo-french for heaven. Which boasts a floral blend of Gardenia flower, Hyacinth, Lily and Freesia combined with sweet White Musk. Sunflower - “a warm floral blend of summer-blooming Freesia, Peony & Muget with bright citrus accords.” Pamplemousse, and my favorite Plum Blossom. The fragrances can be worn alone or blended. Try their Concrete Parfum blending kit for $40 for fun. The set includes, Grenade (sweet pomegranate); Feuille de Fromboise (red raspberry leaf), Tuberose (rich floral blend), and Green Tea (tea leaves with citrus and fruit accords).

Melange and Couture is giving 15% off to all our readers for the Concrete line, the offer ends on June 19th and the code for our readers is CITY08. Have fun!

Source: Melange Apothecary, Charmed PR

Popularity: 7% [?]

The month of May seems to be a very lucky month for our readers. Yes we are doing another giveaway! Couture is proud to feature the equisite jewelry line from Bridget Lynne Designs. This fashion forward and hip jewelry line is classic in every way. One of our lucky readers will recieve a 30% discount card with this offer. The designer herself, grew up in Upstate New York with a passion for jewelry. And began making and designing jewelry for her family and friends. Entrepreneurship took Bridget to another level when she took her creative designs to the market - creating Bridget Lynne Designs. All of the jewelry is hand made to perfection. Her vision; “I inspire to take looks from the past, that are in tune with the present, with a vision toward the future.”

Lets take a look at some of this fabulous jewelry.

Double Aspen Leaf

These mini leaf earrings are delicate in gold, with a great transparency to them.

Deep purple amethyst briolette

This gorgeous deep purple amethyst briolette is suspended from a collection of two various sized 14K gold filled circles. Attached to a 18K gold vermeil earwire.

Enter today and you could be the lucky winner for this exclusive giveaway!

Source: Bridget Lynne Designs, KMR Communications

Popularity: 6% [?]

At Couture we get to review some of the best products out there. Summers here, and its time to show off your healthy newly preped pedicures and manicures! And Nailtiques is here to help.

Now once again -from me to you- I get to try this wonderful product. Was I skeptical? Not at all! I knew I would be taken care of with this ‘innovator in the worldwide nail care industry’. Are the products natural I hear you ask? Of course they are! And salon tested to boot. And do they really treat the problems I have with my nails? Well if your going to keep asking, heres the lowdown from Nailtiques themselves;

” Nailtiques has been providing therapeutic nail treatments that surpass all others. Nailtiques nail care system treats multiple nail problems with six specially formulated protein strengths. They not only supply nourishment to strengthen nails, they also eliminate peeling.”

Wow, that’s great. Now lets get to the product!

Nailtiques Avocado Foot Crème

I had the luxury of trying the Avocado Foot Crème. Now I must say this thick, creamy lotion is pure bliss!

After bathing your feet in your foot spa, whilst listening to your classical music. Finish your D.I.Y (Do it yourself) at home spa with this lucious cream. The welcoming aromatic scent and soft texture is very inviting. Apply an ample amount to your feet and massage into the skin. I found that my feet were soft for days. Now, I found the best results are when I use this lotion daily. My feet are hydrated, and softer then ever.

Nailtiques Oil Therapy

Nailtiques Pink & Green Sponge File

Now to keep those healthly manicures you need a good foundation. I tried a combination nail treatment using both the oil therapy and sponge files. The oil is superb, goes on clean and smooth. Using the pink side of the sponge file, smooth down any nail ridges. And keep adding the oil, and contiue the process until the surface of your nails are smooth. I got superb results, and this treatment works great for me.

Now you have the perfect tools for keeping your nails and feet in perfect condition for the summer!

Source: Nailtiques, Janine Gordon Associates

Popularity: 8% [?]

Here we are ladies, our prayers have been answered! Finally, we have reached a natural alternative to those Botox injections. Yes, Frownies is here.

Frownies is Hollywoods best kept secret. But that is no longer the case. This fab age defying, anti wrinkle system has been featured in O Magazine, and Good Housing Keeping alike.

Now before we get into the exciting part i.e. testing the product. There is an amazing history behind Frownies and how it began.

Frownies were created in 1889 after Margaret Kroesen discovered that her daughter Alice, a concert pianist, had developed unsightly wrinkles and frown lines. With a desire to maintain her youthful beauty and stage presence, Mrs. Kroesen created Wrinkle Eradicators (as they were first called) by employing the basic principle of fitness to the muscles of the face. Several years later, Mrs. Kroesen’s entered the business world; she joined B & P Company (Beauty and Personality) as Managing Director. By offering only her Wrinkle Eradicators and skin treatments, which has become a great success up until today.

Frownies - Face Lift in a bag

Now I have had the honor of trying this fabulous product. And I can’t rave about it enough. After using the whole kit, Face Lift in a bag. My skin was radiant, bright, supple and plump. And beautiful, like I stepped out of a plastic surgeons office after having a few light botox and dermabrasion surgical procedures. Yes, I can hear it in your voice, you are excited!

But to get the full results you have to use the whole kit.

Frownies - Ph Balancing Wash -Contains the freshness of lavender essential oil and the cleaning power of soapwort and soap yucca to detoxify, balance, and clean the skin’s surface.

Start with the ph Balancing Complexion Wash. Apply small drop (less than dime size) in the palm of your hand, and work into lather with slightly cool to warm water. Apply to the entire face and neck area as well as under eyes, rinse well.

*Note from Frownies: Never use hot water on the face it is very drying.

Frownies - Immune Perféct Wrinkle Cream

Secondly, apply Frownies Immune Perféct Wrinkle Cream I just loved the texture of this lotion and the way it gently absorbs into the skin. Instantly I noticed my skin is hydrated bright and plump. This rich formula has powerful cellular interactive antioxidants with active Vitamin E and 17 amino acids! Use all over the the entire face, under the eyes and the neck area.

*Note from Frownies: Do not put the gel cream in the palm of you hand and rub. This activates the delivery system and the penetration begins in your hands.

Frownies - Facial Pads

Frownies - Facial Pads - How to apply to the face

Thirdly, wet Frownies Facial Patches using Hydrator Spray or distilled water and apply over the lines. Leave in place at least three hours or, for best results, overnight.

*Note: Remember to use plenty of water upon removing the pads. And don’t feel daunted by using the facial pads either. They do feel a little tight on the skin, so try to relax when wearing them for a few hours. But they are quite comfortable when you are use to wearing them. (Just think of the results!)

After removing the facial pads, the areas where the patches were are a little sensitive. And maybe a little red, so be gentle. But after a few minutues the results are amazing. Any minor wrinkles I had were completely gone. Plus the skin in those areas were firmer.

Rose Hydrator Spray

Now this is my favorite part, use the Hydrating Rose Spray as a daily toner, or after cleansing. It is a wonderfully refreshing pick up after exercising, or anytime of the day.

Now I truly loved this product. And I use it daily, especially the facial wash, hydrating spray and Immune Perféct lotion. I will now use the pads once a week, or every other week just for the tone and lift they give. But, what I truly love about the product is that it is made of natural ingredients.

I used Face Lift in a bag prior to a photo shoot, which gave me great results.

Jacqueline H. at photo shoot, having used Face Lift in a bag prior to shoot

You can visit the Frownies official website to learn more about this wonderful product. Also, Couture In the City will be giving away a Face lift in in a bag to one of our lucky readers. Check in to view the giveaway post for more details.

Source: Frownies.com, KMR Communicatuions, NY

Popularity: 9% [?]

When: Alek Wek Sample Sale this weekend Dec. 15th and 16th at Girls Love Shoes Vintage
Alek Wek handbags 25% off wholesale 20% off all vintage footwear
Sat. 2pm to 8pm, Sun. 2pm to 7pm

Where:GLS Boutique at 29 Ludlow St. on the corner of Hester
F train to East Broadway or D train to Grand St.
917-250-3268

GLS online store launching this weekend at glsnewyork.com

Popularity: 7% [?]

Popularity: 7% [?]