Run Around Chic

Valentine’s Day Gifts to Yourself

The Classic Gold Heart Necklace $88 @Spencedesigns.com

I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve become my own Valentine, even if I were in a relationship, I definitely would not wait around for him to plan anything special. I’ve been there and done that and it’s not worth it. Oh, don’t feel bad for me, it’s fine, I am on the right path. I’m grateful to God that I’ve been kept single.

Now my Valentine’s beside me, myself and I are my little morsels of love, my niece and my nephew. They are too little to realize that there are tiny joys in celebrating certain holidays, but they will eventually get the hang of it.

LE PLIAGE ORIGINAL Shoulder bag L – Pink $145 @longchamp.com

I bought myself a necklace by Spence Designs, it’s made out of recycled materials, dipped in 14k. I also decided to jump on the bandwagon and get myself a new Longchamp tote, in pink.

I am contemplating ordering a huge box of chocolates from See’s, but we get chocolate periodically, so there wouldn’t be any fun in that, but who knows.

I could give you a list of suggestions, but it’s best to share with you what I thought is an ideal gift to you from you…..

Happy Valentine’s Day!

When Art Meets Fashion

These gorgeous paintings were painted by Julian Cardinal, an artist who paints with oils. His works can be found online or at Kiley Court Gallery, in Provincetown, MA. Everything he paints is beautiful, from landscapes to flowers and figures.

City Stroll 20″x16″ oil on canvas $3400 by Julian Cardinal

Love the fashion depicted in his paintings, so fresh and chic.

Here’s to running around chic…..

Paris Fashion Week

My first time in Paris was Paris Fasion week, but my sisters and I were oblivious to that fact until they saw Lucy Liu walking down the street. My sister and I had dinner at Budda Bar that evening and saw a table full of women that looked familiar and only after the fact we realized it was Cara Delevingne and a few of her friends.

My friend Cindy is so lucky to live in Paris, I mean she has many blessings and one of them is that she does live in the City of Light. She took several photos during fashion week. I can’t share them all, but ladies, they are a feast for the eyes. I liked this photo in particular because the color is so fresh and it reminds me of a blouse I bought in Chicago.

OVERSIZED-FIT LONGLINE SHIRT $115 @COS.com

Of course, my blouse is longer, it doesn’t have any pockets and it’s not designer. I am also going to wear mine with ankle flared black trousers or jeans and ballet flats.

Here’s to running around chic…..

Detoxing and Eliminating Bloat

Debloat, Cleanse, Digest
Detox Drops $26 @Juna-world.com

I haven’t tried this brand yet, but I went ahead and ordered the Detox Drops anyway. Chlorophyllin helps with glowing skin too, so I am excited because beauty does come from within. I am not going to get into the scientific aspects of this brand, but you can read here for more information. You are supposed to add this to your water three-times a day, to an 12oz or 16oz glass of water and it’s better than drinking a warm glass of lemon water first thing in the morning. I feel like I can’t lose, I just need to make this into a habit.

The right kind of habits that turn your life around…..

Getting Organized

One of my goals is to get organized, to detox and to be organized. I want the life I had before the pandemic, where I had a sense of order. It didn’t feel like it at the time, but now in hindsight I was more organized. In order to help myself I purchased a daily planner this morning, I like it because I can write in it, it’s big enough and has various forms of planning ahead and setting goals and it plans ahead into 2023.

I wish I was the type of person that didn’t need coffee in the morning and that liked green tea. But I can try to add green tea and detox, I would need to curb my coffee intake or start drinking organic coffee.

I liked this color pattern so much that I bought one each for my younger sisters, Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and we can buy chocolate all year-round.

Here’s to happy goal setting and organizing….

Night-Table Reading

I pre-ordered “Happy Days” and can’t wait to read it. I usually buy all of Gabby’s books on audio but felt that I couldn’t wait, but alas, I am still waiting. I’ve been watching my Korean K-Dramas lately, since they are subtitled, I am getting some reading in, although I know that doesn’t count.

Last year I only managed to read 5 novels, and lately have been playing word games, one thing I plan on telling my niece and nephew is that reading makes you smart if not smarter.

What are you currently reading?

Beauty Items in My Stocking

I know I haven’t really been posting about skincare or makeup lately. I’ve been more interested in clothing, in making sure my wardrobe has what it needs to re-enter society. Then I remembered the two beauty products I did receive this past Christmas.

I love the Dior Lip Glow, I have it in Pink and am so tempted to get other colors, but I have a ton of lip products and since we are not really going anywhere, have no use for more, I have brand new red lipsticks that are just waiting to be worn.

BAUME ESSENTIEL – Multi-Use Glow Stick $45 @Chanel.com

Another item I’m loving at the moment is the Chanel Baume Essentiel in the pearlescent shade. I apply it over my SPF before leaving the house, and if I leave the house, it’s to go get Vitamin injections, the grocery store or babysitting, otherwise it’s staying put. I just apply it under my eye area, so that I look awake.

I am getting close to needing to purchase more shampoo and conditioner, I can’t see myself using my Oribe if I am not going anywhere special, and I am in need of a haircut.

Here’s to running around chic…..

It’s The Earrings

PEARL OCTOPUSS.Y Baroque Paris silver-plated, crystal and pearl earrings $78 @Netaporter.com

Net-a-Porter is having an additional 20% off of a 60% off sale. I’ve been looking for a pair of statement earrings and can picture myself wearing these beauties with a sweater or a white dress shirt and jeans. The picture below had me inspired and wistful for a pair that wasn’t only stunning but budget friendly too. Nothing worse than spending a nice little chunk of change on an accessory and not wearing it.

I can envision wearing these little darlings, and I can’t wait.

Here’s to running around chic…..

Winter in Paris

I’ve only been to Paris twice in my life, my first time was in the winter. Paris is the most beautiful city in the world, with the pinks, greys, the hues of the city are enchanting. I love people watching, next time I plan to sit at Cafe d’Flore and people watch all-day. Maybe get up and shop a little bit but take all of my meals there.

I love that Converse is everywhere, it’s worn with everything, and I can’t wait to start wearing mine, I don’t really go anywhere and when I do, it’s specific. No running around the city on errands…..

Here’s to running around chic…..

Wardrobe Refresh Part 2

NIKE Fontanka Waffle suede and leather-trimmed mesh $100; GUCCI EYEWEARPop Web oversized square-frame acetate sunglasses $375 @Netaporter.com; PLEATED MIDI DRESS $135 @COS.com

I’ve been preparing for the end of the pandemic for the last two years. I have everything I need to re-enter society. But it seems that I have grown quite lazy. I had a grooming routine going on for decades that abruptly came to a halt and now it’s having to get used to it again. I will be going back into the office in March, working two days remotely which will be nice. However, I am having to practice getting my act together, I used to be one of those women that enjoyed dressing for work, I mean let’s face it, it was the only time I actually applied makeup and blow-dried my hair.

I recently added the above items to my wardrobe, because I did need a pair of actual white sneakers, and new sunglasses. Plus, the dress I can wear with a black poncho I already own and my new boots.

Are you ready to re-enter society?

The Striped Sweater

Ladies, this is the correct way to wear a striped sweater, everything about this photo is chic, pulled together and comfortable. You can wear a striped sweater with denim, tapered sweat pants, and even a skirt. I recently started buying sweaters again, it’s been really cold out lately and purchased a striped sweater from Zara a few months back, I haven’t had an opportunity to wear it yet though.

During this pandemic I’ve been mainly wearing the same old clothes, unless I am meeting my vaccinated friends out for a meal or drinks, alfresco of course.

KHAITE – Sonya striped cashmere turtleneck sweater $1,480.00 @Netaporter.com

PETAR PETROV – Elan oversized striped cashmere turtleneck sweater $1,440.00 @Netaporter.com

A striped sweater can also be used forever, it has longevity in any wardrobe. Here’s to running around chic……

Wardrobe Refresh

I hope everyone had a nice Holiday Season. In the middle of another Covid outbreak it was difficult to meet with all of our friends, but overall the season was enjoyable. I picked up a few items to help refresh my wardrobe. Anine Bing is having a sale and I ended up picking up three items from her collection, two of them out of fear of being sold out. Let’s just hope the jacket above fits, otherwise it’s going back.

Carmine Lug Sole Chelsea Boot $199 @Nordstromrack.com

Sorel-Brex leather Chelsea boots $160 @Netaporter.com

I ended up purchasing the last pair of Link Hoop Earrings, whew.

What does your wardrobe refresh look like?

The Ritz Paris Madeleines

Since the closed borders have changed the world’s behavior with travel, Europe might seem more difficult to reach than before the pandemic, many people had to cancel their Parisian travels and regretfully not being able to try the French favorite cake, the Madeleine at The Ritz, so I obliged.

The Ritz is famous for many things, the elegance, the historical figures who have stayed there, but did you know they are also famous for their Madeleines?

Like everything created in Paris, with such a long history of civilised and uncivilised people, the Madeleine has become a chic pastry or “patisserie” as they say in France. Yummy baked goodies. Used to be for kids, but now at the Ritz.

The Ritz puts the “frosting on top”, literally. Being a mom to 2 French boys, Madeleines become part of the lifestyle at a certain part in every French persons life… until you learn the fat content, haha, that’s why you can’t eat them every day.

I came by with my little 10 year old, he love’s madeleines, and so we entered the shop, after waiting patiently outside a couple minutes. We used some sanitary gel and continued to select and buy our madeleines. The staff are all so polite and soft spoken, it was a breeze. The madeleine is stuffed with their fruit filling, and glazed all over, sweet! I had a raspberry madeleine and it was divine.

The Comptoir, was a small space, with only 5 small 2 person tables, on the opposite side of the bakery, so I would recommend it as a walking snack better than a place to eat and people watch, there is no terrace outside, it’s on a little street and traffic moves steadily, so hopefully they find a better location.

Written and tasted by Cindy G Lucas

@losangelinainparis

for runaroundchic.com

T’is the Season for Shearling

It’s cold in Paris now, and the Fall has turned to Winter cold. What are the Parisians wearing now you may ask? The stand out trend this month is the shearling jackets and coats. Everyone has a shearling something in our closets by now, and December is the month to start bringing your shearling out.

On the Street Style of Paris now you’ll find shearling on wool plaid jackets and shirts. Of course like the lumberjack work jacket style with shearling liner is another classic that is trendy again. The new updated style I found for this year was the elongated work shirt (pictured above) It says’Winter in 2021″, casual yet chic because it’s a new style.

Don’t be shy to wear shearling because all the Winter collections will have it, it’s so chic.

Here’s to staying warm in December in Paris!

by @LosAngelinainParis

for runaroundchic.com

Oh, A Rivière

Millenia necklace Octagon cut crystals, White, Rhodium plated $679 @swarovski.com

I’ve had my eye on rivière necklaces for years now, I really don’t want to invest in a piece of Jewelry that I feel I wouldn’t wear often. It would be something that I would wear on occasion, my personality would feel it wasn’t right for my actual day job, although maybe it would be. I would need to just change my personality, and pretend I am SJP or Anna Wintour and just wear it with everything.