to pamper / summer refresh beauty kit

I’m surprised this beauty kit hasn’t sold out yet… it’s a steal if you like nicer products. I got it for the Tata Harper and Susanne Kaufmann, and I don’t mind trying the other products. It’s also available in the EU, APAC, and GB sites.

Image: NAP

Price: $90

Value: $505 (based on NAP prices)

• $125 Full size (smaller size) Tata Harper Concentrated Brightening Serum: 9.8 ml/0.33 fl.oz. (Previously reviewed the original formulation, the only drawback was the cost.)
• $98 Full size U Beauty The Sculpt Arm Compound: 120 ml/4.0 fl.oz.
• $72 Full size One Ocean Ultra Hydrating Algae Oil: 30 ml/1.0 fl.oz.
• $45 Full size Susanne Kaufmann Cleansing Gel: 100 ml/ 3.4 fl.oz (The second item I was most excited about.)
• $37 Full size (smaller size) Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil: 15 ml/0.5 fl.oz
• $30 Full size Phillip Kingsley Swimcap Mask: 75 ml/2.5 fl.oz.
• $25 Full size Wander Beauty Unlashed Volume and Curl Mascara: 9 g/0.31 oz
• $20 Full size (smaller size) Oribe Mystify Restyling Spray: 50 ml/1.7 fl.oz.
• $20 40 Full size Pursoma Après Savasana Soak: 113 g/4.0 oz. (They included two bags of this so it’s a $40 value, not sure if it was a mistake.)
• $13 Full size two Silke hair ties
• The clear pouch with zipper is also very sturdy.

There is another beauty kit if you are interested in any of the products.

Also worth mentioning that I got a few of these and each beauty set comes in its own cardboard box (that is great for shipping), leading to a very large overall box.

to shop / {deal alert} j.crew sale on sale – lace dress & trench

(1) If you’re the right size, this exquisite lace sheath dress from J.Crew Collection is marked down lower at Net-a-Porter (where it’s called Cadenza guipure lace dress). Y’all know I love lace!

(2) I’m going with the more casual dress code these days and ordered a few of the J.Crew Washed Cotton Trench Coat. I saw it in a store after I placed my order and am glad I sized up. It is lightweight (which a lot of negative reviews complained about) and is exactly what I was looking for.

Image source: J.Crew

I’ve been taking R&R in Taipei and didn’t bring a laptop with me. After a week of detoxing from a computer, I itched to write real emails and keyboard shortcut my way through my inbox.

• I’ve been indulging in super affordable tui na and acupuncture and will be sad to give them up once I return home.
• I’ve come to the conclusion that most food in Taipei is good – no matter where you go. I’m not as diligent in exploring Taipei food options because there are family obligations and because I’m content.
• Yelp just launched in Taiwan. It’s too new to be of substantial value though. Foursquare was in use.
• I’ve been thinking of purging (and I’ve been talking about it for years but time has always been a deterrent) and browsed through Marie Kondo’s much talked about book. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten wiser about purchases so there is a lot less to buy in Hong Kong and Taipei. So far.
• If you have any recommendations for items to buy from Taipei (or Narita airport), let me know! I always end up in Muji and Watson’s for hours. Even though I can read traditional Chinese, it is more tiring. Thus, it’s harder to find reviews on products.

I. Shopping

• Get $10 off your first $50+ order at Peach and Lily!
• I always stop at the original Sogo department store in Taipei and did a walkthrough of the first floor, which I usually do not do. They have a HUGE selection of Repetto ballet flats — I think it rivaled the flagship in Paris and definitely beat any US retail outlet. Retail pricing is hefty but there were a bunch of styles that were 40% off.
  • I tried on the new pointed ‘Brigitte’ style (currently 25% off through link). It runs TTS and I never realized before the bow could be tightened. If feels different than the Cendrillon ballet flat due to the lack of curve. It’s currently online at:
    • Bloomingdales, 25% off, in black calf leather.
    • Farfetch, in black patent and navy calf leather. I’ve never shopped here before; the price is inclusive of shipping and duty.
  • I also saw a black rubber version of the popular Cendrillon style — perfect for drizzly weather — but I can’t seem to find it online.
  • A Repetto store is rumored to be opening in Soho, NYC this year…
• Petit Bateau private sale up to 70% off. 3 days left. Sizes are limited.
  
• Two thumbs up to the Better Business Bureau! I’d purchased something from a popular home decor e-tailer. I got tired after waiting an year for a backorder and they didn’t respond to my emails. It was too far back for me to contest with my credit card. I filed a case on BBB, who then forwarded it to the local BBB. The e-tailer took immediate action. The e-tailer has similar bad reviews on BBB, so buyer beware.

II. Other

I am not categorizing for the sake of time. I will say that I really wish more RSS feeds didn’t force me to click to their site to read because now I have an exorbitant amount of saved items. I spent a good deal of time bookmarking instead of reading on my flight here. Or is there a way to easily bookmark into folders, on the iPhone, while offline?

• Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch — lettuce dinnerware
• Google’s new female CFO
• Amazon in talks to acquire Net-a-Porter.
• Baggu posted production videos on their Instagram! I never knew their factory was in China, but it doesn’t make a difference to me. (One, Two, Three, Four)
• Salt therapy for the sickly.
• Lilly Pulitzer x Target drops April 19.
• I love Emily Henderson and some of her Target picks. I’ve been staying away from Target for the last few months… Resistance is futile.
• Marc by Marc Jacobs to be discontinued. This is sad news for me as a fan of their ballet flats and clothing (on sale only). Although I have lost interest since I stopped browsing.
• If you case you haven’t heard, Target’s new return policy is one year!
• I can’t remember the last time I professed love for Banana Republic, so the new lower Fifth Ave, Marissa Webb-blessed flagship merits a visit. Dough is nearby :)

III. Watching

• I detest inefficient browsing. Enter Netflix God Mode. I usually add to my queue on the desktop. (PSFK)
• How long it takes to binge watch a show. (via Apartment Therapy)
• I’ve also been on a TV detox, but can’t wait to dig into:
  • Mad Men, last season (AMC)
  • Orphan Black, starting April 18 (BBC US)
  • Grimm, returns (NBC)
  • Call the Midwife, Mr. Selfridge, Wolf Hall (PBS)