Pick of the week: "Restylane Skincare" by Q-Med

Pick of the week

„Restylane Skincare“ by Q-Med

Restylane, one of the leading hyaluronic acid products for professional treatments on the market, introduces its first skincare line. Each product contains a high amount of plumping hyaluronic acid, which can penetrate even into deeper layers of the skin through the patented NASHA technology. Where regular creams use emulsifiers to connect the water and oil parts, DMS technology is used here, because emulsifiers are known to soften the structure of the skin and thus allow valuable moisture to escape. The whole range contains ceramides to keep the moisture in the skin, kreatin to boost the skin´s metabolism and a lot of other gentle but effective state-of the art power ingredients. The range includes cleanser, day cream, night cream, serum, recover cream for post-surgical treatments, and a hand cream. The products are highly concentrated, so you only need small amounts and even recomended for people with sensitive skin. Restylane Skincare is sold exclusively through dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons.

Price range from 29,50 to 54,50 Euro

Restylane was introduced in 1997 in Paris, and is used by dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons as an injection for the face and now even the body. Hyaluronic acid occurs in our bodies naturally, and basically holds the body´s tissue in shape. Since it is no stranger to the body, it is well handled. Once injected it stays in place for up to five months gradually being absorbed. It comes in different densities and can plump sagging lines, fill out deep and fine wrinkles and even be used to reshape breast and bottom.

Available in Munich through:

Ovid Beauty GmbH

Brunnstrase 7

80331 München

tel: 089 – 24204730

mail: info@ovid-muenchen.de

For other points of sale check:

www.restylane.com

Pick of the Week - "Eyelash Activating Serum and Eyelash Revitalizing Gloss" by M2 Lashes

What makes the intensity and fascination of a glare? Well, of course the eye color but also the lashes. Lashes are like a frame for the eyes and everybody who´s ever been to a museum knows about the dramatic effect frames have on pictures.

When it comes to the windows of our souls, we shouldn’t underestimate the importance of the delicate little hairs surrounding them. Almost everybody wants longer, darker, more voluminous lashes. So far, the only way to go was mascara, but once the color vanished the illusion was over. M2 Lashes has developed a gentle but incredibly effective way to make lashes longer, darker and simply more spectacular - without color, only by means of new, gentle but effective ingredients.

I couldn’t believe the company's promise of “stimulating the root of the lashes, so the lashes grow out later thicker than before”. But, it turned out to be true! Blessed with long black lashes already, I wanted to put the products to the test and eagerly applied a tiny line around my lashes before going to bed. After three weeks I could clearly see a difference. After five weeks, I honestly thought about stopping, because some lashes got so long that I was tempted to cut them a tiny bit! A friend of mine even asked me whether I had anything “done”, which I of course denied.

The latest product by M2 Lashes is the Revitalizing Gloss. It literally nurtures the lashes with panthenol, collagen and copper peptide-1. Lashes are shiny without being sticky. This product is especially useful for women who use a lot of eye make-up removers to pamper their lashes on a regular basis.

Price: Eyelash Activating Serum: 120 Euro, Eyelash Revitalizing Gloss: 45 Euro

Where can I get it?

Available in Munich through:

Parfümerie Brückner

Marienplatz 8/Ecke Weinstraße

80331 München

Tel: 089 - 223 874

and

Horst Kirchberger Studio

Brienner Straße 11

80331 MünchenTel: 089 - 2237 84

For other points of sale check:

www.m2beaute.com

Pick of the Week – "Les Parfums de Sévigné“

Three superbly composed Eau de Parfums continue the saga of the first Sévigné scent "No 1“ that came out three years ago, and was strictly limited to only 500 pieces.

N°1

The floral-woody composition of Le Parfum N° 1 opens with freesia and develops into an elegant mix of rose and red pepper, interwoven with magnolia and fig. The base notes are sandalwood, incense and crystal musk.

N°2

Le Parfum N° 2 is a fresh and fruity mix, starting off with a sparkling note of tangerine and orange. Spicy peppers and warm ginger add a light compactness, which develops into a sensual base of patchouli, vanilla and musk.

N°3

Le Parfum N° 3 is a spicy and elegant scent. Bergamot and tangerine cause a refreshing start that changes into a warm heart of pepper, cardamom and cilantro. The subtle base of patchouli, vetiver and ambergris stays on the skin the longest.

All falcons are decorated with a beautiful silver necklace and silver pendant with a Madonna on it, from the popular „Madonna collection“.

Price: 95,-€ / 50ml EdP

About Sévigné

Sévigné, founded in 1979 in Munich, is one of the best known jewelers in Germany. Renate Schrems, head of Sévogné, explained to us: "These three precious Eau de Parfums are made for women who like that perfect style with that twinkle in their eye. For women of any age that are bold and witty, just like the companies´ patron the Marquise de Sévigné. Both our jewelry and our scents are made for cosmopolitan women of the 21st century.

Where Can I Get It?

Hotline: SEVERT luxuries GmbH, Tel. 0049-89-76701093

"Sweet Dreams are Made of This" Handmade Pralinés in Munich

Even though directly located behind one of Munich´s main sites, “Viktualienmarkt”, the chocolate manufacturer “Amai” is the kind of store, that doesn’t draw your attention right away. But walking by without buying anything would be a bittersweet tragedy!

In 2002 Sabine Heinsch founded the cute, little store. She was motivated by the lack of pralinés and chocolates that looked just amazing and were created with the best and purest ingredients available. Lucky us! Now, chocolate afficionados are thrilled about the extremely high standards of both the raw materials used and the precison in creating these deligtful pieces of seduction. “Amai“ does not use any preservatives at all, and not even a single machine, in the manufacturing process.

The pyramid shaped pralinés come in 55 different variations. Starting from fresh notes like apple, blueberry and green tea, progressing to richer tastes like plum, almond and cinnamon and then topping off with experimental variations like wasabi and black pepper. The difficult choice is up to you. You can also purchase beautifully crafted bars of choclate and adorable petit fours.

Once a month the founder and owner of the cute little store, Sabine Heinsch, unveils her secret and lets you create your own selection of sweet delicacies in her "Pralines workshop". Other workshops evolve around the combination of wine and chocolate, or baking and creating your own wedding cake as part of a bachelorette party.

Pralinés cost about 1,20 Euros per piece

Chocolate bars cost between 4,90 and 6,90 Euros

Amai am Viktualienmarkt

Frauenstrasse 12

80469 München

089/ 2421 9859

www.amai-pralinen.de

Pick of the Week - Studded Belts from B.belt

Buttery soft, subtly colored, and gleaming like a river in the lazy light of a summer afternoon...not the typical way to describe a studed belt. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of studded belts in general. That's because they are usually too harsh for my taste; glaring, cheap reflections of the light on a rigid piece of simple colored leather. Mainly created to give young folks a short thrill in their rock star or club kid phase.

But the pieces from the German belt manufacturer "B.belt" are not your average studded belts. The little rivets are brushed in different ways and are often combined with other studs of the same color family. This gives them an aura of sophistication and makes me adore them.

Prices range from 99 to 149 Euros

About B.belt

The young belt label from Germany has been creating beautiful pieces to decorate your hips and waist for three seasons. For women or men, wide or narrow, washed or woven...there's a big selection to choose from.

Where Can I Get It?

Germany:

Frankfurt: Bailly Diehl

Hamburg: Werkhaus

Cologne: Daniels

Munich: Ludwig Beck, Konen

Pick of the Week - "Blue Firming Cream" by Erno Laszlo

Spring is regaining its power, and we can finally enjoy the beautiful warm rays of the sun. But watch out! Along with the beauty of the sun comes the not so beautiful waves of UV-A and -B radiation. Those nasty UV rays can lead to premature aging, dark spots and wrinkes (double yuck!). That's why dermatologists recommend protecting the skin from UV rays every single day. That's right - even in the city and when it's cloudy.

I know, I know. We've all heard this before and, to be honest, I often don't have time to put on an extra layer of sunscreen on top of my day-cream. That's why I love creams with an optimized built-in sunscreen. Erno Laszlo's newest success, "Fimarine SPF 30" combines a powerful SPF of 30 with "Spirulina Maxima," a blue algae.

This little miracle of nature contains more than 70 amino-proteins, minerals and antioxidants. It moisturizes the skin while making it more elastic and tighter. The light cream is absorbed easily by the skin, and leaves it smooth, radiant, soft and protected. A small goes a long way and should be tapped into the skin first before being massaged in with upward strokes.

Recommended for regular dry to regular oily skin.

50 ml / 1.69 oz, 198 Euro

About Erno Laszlo

The Manhattan based scientist Erno Laszlo developed the first, "Doctor Brand" back in the 30's. Stars like Audrey Hepburn, Greta Garbo and Marylin Monroe were huge fans.

The focus of all of Laszlo's luxurious products is the combined power of water, the natural pH-value of the skin and the latest scientific breakthroughs.

Where Can I Get It?

Germany and Austria: http://www.sahling-bestofbeauty.de/

Elsewhere: http://www.ernolaszlo.com/

Owner Profile...Margo Schneider, Summer Love

Store Concept?

TEA, WELLNESS, and LIFESTYLE presented in a modern setting.

Inspiration?

One particular tea house in New York and one in Shanghai.

Special Education?

Tea sommelier

Favorite place?

New York City

Favorite website?

I don't have one particular favorite site. I like finding new hotels with unique design attributes and atmosphere. Any site that shows me that could fall under my favorites.

What would you be doing if you didn't have Summer Love?

Giving seminars, acting, being creative in some other way. I love to entertain people.

Most recent find?

Bar Centrale. I like the atmosphere. It reminds me of Little Italy in New York.

Who is your idol?

Music - Rod Stewart. I like his sense of humor.

I also like Princess Maxima of the Netherlands. She seems so natural.

Last words?

Your success is where you heart is AND have the courage to be a little crazy.

Summer Love
Pestalozzistraße 34
80469 München

Tel: 089-26 74 84

www.summerlove-tea.de

Department Store Second Life

The Hilton Hotel in Antwerp used to be a department store. I guess even buildings have to rebrand themselves if they want to survive. Maybe I'll get pictures of the inside next time.

Madonna and Child #1 - Antwerp

This is just the first in a series. Finding them was like going on an Easter egg hunt. Do you have similar statues in your city?

A Peep into the Past - Antwerp

Trendy Vintage Clothes and Furniture

Only a sign standing a bit tilted on the sidewalk indicated the presence of the vintage clothing and furniture shop on a dark side street near Groenplaats. The perfect invitation. I went to check it out. What a find. A bit dark , but totally vintage. I didn't have any problems finding it the second time.

Sussies
Oude Koonmarket and Zwaluwstraate 69
2000 Antwerp

http://www.sussies.be/

The Market at Elisabethplatz

Munich

Market

The Market at Elisabethplatz

Who knew that cucumbers had such a wonderful scent (or any scent for that matter)? This market isn't that close to my apartment, but the produce is so good (and affordable) and the people who work there are so friendly that I make the trek every Saturday morning.

Spring Arrives at A.P.C.

Munich
Fashion

A.P.C. Homme & Femme (Fashion for Men and Women)

Until I found A.P.C., I never appreciated the meaning of a "collection" in terms of fashion. Now I know. Timeless classics that work with each other from season to season - the French brand portrays a look that has been described as "undone" in that it is clean-cut and simple, but totally modern in design.

That would be enough to go there season after season, but what really makes it one of my favorite places is the special treatment I get whether I'm visiting, shopping, or buying. Everyone there knows my style and I always receive valuable advice. It's almost like having my own stylist.

By the way, just in case you're wondering, A.P.C. stands for "Atelier de Production et de Création". (I had to look that one up).


A.P.C.
Galeriestrasse 6A
80539 Munich
+ 49 (0) 89 2368 4005

http://www.apc.fr/

Tea Anyone?

Munich

Food & Drink

Friesische Teestube

A princely decor

with princess teacups

Clocks without time

Music that chimes

as the aroma of tea

seeps through the air

relaxing the mind

letting you find

a welcome recluse

from the daily juice

of life on the loose.

I've gone by this tearoom a million times without ever knowing it was there until one Thursday when one of my best friends asked, "Do you want to have some tea?"

Friesische Teestube

Pündter Platz 2

80803 Munich

Germany

Tel +49 (0) 89 34 85 19

Opening hours

Daily 10 - 23

http://www.friesische-teestube.de/

Cosy Secondhand Store in Munich

Munich
Fashion

Gabin

Designer Secondhand for Women and Men

The mid-sized store is marked by its cosy interior with dark wood and rich, muted colours. The clothes are contemporary, seasonal and chosen with an eye for quality. The amount of women´s clothes outweighs the men´s by a bit. The selection is plentyful, but not stuffed. There are pleasently few accessories and shoes. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly but not overbearing.

In a nutshell:
Great choice of well maintained designer clothes at decent prices in cosy surroundings.


Gabin
Georgenstrasse 46 / Eingang Kurfuerstenstrasse
80799 Munich
Germany
Tel +49 (0) 89 330 662 96

Opening hours
Mo - Fr 13 – 19
Sa 11 – 16
www.gabin-secondhand.de

Sleek Stationary in Antwerp

Antwerp

Stationary Products

Ordning & Reda

Organizing can be fun

And you'll be happy when you've begun

To work with the color and inspiration

You'll find under the Antwerp sun

At Ordning & Reda

Order, color, stlye and taste

Swedish design interlaced

With the entertainment of shopping without haste.

I knew I loved Antwerp when I found this store - but then horrors - I lost it. Now that I've found it again it's mine to share - with you. Enjoy the experience (and check out the princess and the prince).

Ordning & Reda

Groendalstraat 17

BE-2000 Antwerp

Tel +32 32 31 19 66

http://www.ordning-reda.com/

Opening Hours

Mon 13-18, Tues - Sat 11-18, Sun closed